GENESEO, N.Y. – A series of events are underway at SUNY Geneseo leading up to the inauguration Oct. 22 of Denise A. Battles, the second woman to lead the college as permanent president in the college’s 144-year history.
Battles became Geneseo’s 13th president on July 1. Local community residents and business owners got acquainted with Battles and her husband, Michael Mills, during a reception recently at the Wadsworth Homestead.
The president displayed a new commemorative pin at the event that the college has designed for the inauguration, which will be distributed to those attending the installation ceremony. The pin incorporates the Geneseo logo and a “V” design element to reflect the college’s physical location overlooking the valley and its strong connection to the area.
“I have learned much about our community from the listening tour I’ve been conducting on campus and by visiting with people like you,” Battles told the crowd. “The college enjoys one of the strongest town/gown relationships of any college town in the country, and I will work hard to continue fostering that long-standing and vital relationship.”
The evening included a surprise appearance by actress and storyteller Gretchen Murray Sepik, who arrived as local historical figure Mary Jemison and made a presentation on Jemison’s life to the delight of the audience.
The event sponsors were The Tompkins Bank of Castile, Tompkins Insurance Agencies and Tompkins Financial Services.
The public is invited to many of the inaugural events, including a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new college stadium Oct. 16 at 1:00 p.m. and the Installation Ceremony on Oct. 22 at 1:00 p.m. in Wadsworth Auditorium. The general public may request tickets to the Installation Ceremony at no cost through the Student Association Ticket Office at the Robert A. Macvittie College Union (585.245.5873).
“The installation ceremony is the highlight of our inaugural activities,” said Andrea Klein, chair of the Inaugural Planning Committee. “A lot of people have worked very hard for this special moment in Geneseo’s history and we hope the public will share the experience with us.”
Among those attending the installation ceremony will be SUNY Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher, who will formally confer Battles’ title of president. Also attending will be delegates representing numerous colleges and universities from the area. For those unable to make the installation ceremony, a live video feed of the event will be available on the Geneseo website.
Visit the college’s presidential inauguration web page for additional information on inaugural activities.
Media Contact:
David Irwin
Senior Manager of College Communications
Media Relations Director
(585) 245-5529
Irwin@geneseo.edu