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 Robert F. Neal, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, introduced
several past presidents and representatives from other colleges.
Neal said the inauguration of a president marks a transition that
looks both backward and forward. It brings to mind the great history
of the college that no other college shares beginning with the
granting of the charter during Abraham Lincoln's lifetime. He said,
"This inauguration is much more than a ceremony; it is a celebration
marked by joy, thanksgiving, and hope."
Gerlach's father, Robert Gerlach, provided the Invocation. He
described his son as "tenacious and persevering." Looking towards
his son, Mr. Gerlach said, "your mother Janet would be extremely
proud of you and bursting with joy." He said, "You learned care for
others from your mother." Mr. Gerlach also thanked Dr. Gerlach's
wife, Lisa, for helping him and being a blessing.
Robert Gerlach prayed that the Lord would "bless this institution
and sustain it into the future as you have over the last 150 years.
Grant dedication, growth, commitment, and wisdom, perseverance,
harmony, and loyalty for all students, educators, staff, and
decision makers" He prayed, "Guide Lincoln College at each and every
fork in the road and bring success to every individual involved here
now and in the future."
Greetings to the new president from the trustees, student body,
and past presidents
Neal said, "we look back with gratitude to the many who have
preceded us and brought us to this point." He also said, "At the
same time, we look forward to a higher plane of excellence." Neal
said that when they interviewed nine finalists for the presidency,
David Gerlach made a passionate plea for change at Lincoln College
because the times demand it. He said Dr. Gerlach sold the search
committee with "his ideas and enthusiasm." Dr. Gerlach convinced the
board to get into their endowments and "spend money on the
institution and make it upright and ready for the next 150 years.
Mr. Neal said, Dr. Gerlach "sold the students with his convictions."
Neal said Dr. Gerlach puts Lincoln College on "firm ground for the
next 150 years," and "great things are coming ahead."
Speaking on behalf of the student body, Student Government
President, Alec Esparza said, Dr. Gerlach has already made an impact
on students. Esparza says, Dr. Gerlach teaches students they have a
voice not just on campus, but in life. He said the students see
changes, they take pride in the campus, and they look up to Dr.
Gerlach.
John Blackburn, 21st president of Lincoln College, spoke on behalf
of all past presidents and said they understood the "enormity of the
responsibilities of being president" as he congratulated Gerlach.
Mr. Blackburn said the "opportunities, time demands, challenges, and
risks" of being a college president were still fairly fresh in his
mind. He said of all the roles he had in his working life, "college
presidency was the most complex thing" he had ever been involved in.
Blackburn thanked Gerlach for "accepting the challenge of leading
Lincoln College and taking it forward." He thanked Gerlach's wife
for accepting of the demanding role of first lady. Blackburn said
that many people in the area already know the Gerlach's as a
"terrific addition to the Lincoln College family."
Blackburn said it is appropriate to culminate the festivities of the
busy homecoming week and the 150th anniversary year by "inaugurating
a president that will lead us to a better tomorrow." He said,
"President Gerlach, we are glad that you are that person and that
you have accepted the challenge." Quoting John Quincy Adams,
Blackburn said, "If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn
more, do more, and become more, you are a leader."
Blackburn then said to President Gerlach, "I wish to assure you that
the people of Lincoln and of Lincoln College are inspired by your
vision" and " we stand ready to learn from you and do whatever it
takes to turn your vision into what the college will become."
Blackburn challenged all employees at the school to support Gerlach
with their best efforts, time, talent, and contributions to help
lead the college to the highest potential.
In looking back at Lincoln College's past, the Lincoln College
Chorale sang the Louis Armstrong hit, “What a Wonderful World” while
a montage of photos showing the school's history played in the
background.
Keynote address
Dr. Joseph Kennedy, retired President of the State University of New
York (SUNY), Canton, and Gerlach's mentor, provided the keynote
address.
Dr. Kennedy said students are part of a cycle, each degree is part
of a cycle and the faculty are also on a cycle. He said both senior
and new faculty "bring in a sense of renewal and a sense of hope."
Dr. Kennedy said his presidency started on census day when New York
State counted new students and returning students. He said if the
school had enough students, the year was easier, but if they did not
have enough, his year was spent trying to make sure they had enough
students for the next year.
Dr. Kennedy said Lincoln College is starting a new cycle of
presidential leadership, as marked by the ceremony. He said Lincoln
College is entering a new era as they possibly become Lincoln
University. Dr. Kennedy said that like other institutions, colleges
are either "going forward or going backward," so "every day you
better get up and hope that this is the beginning of a new era for a
new college." He said, it is "important for this leadership to be
guided by the hands of someone like Dr. Gerlach."
Dr. Kennedy said he has studied failed presidents and "discovered
that the do-nothing president is often more damaging to an
institution than a spectacular failure," He said the "spectacular
failure" usually gets 'taken care of,' but the "quiet, calm,
conducting president can harm a college for years." Dr. Kennedy said
Dr. Gerlach is not a "shrinking violet."
Kennedy said "today is the beginning of the Gerlach era" and that
Dr. Gerlach is prepared for the challenge. Kennedy said that when
Gerlach worked at SUNY, he asked him to find a dean of enrollment
management. When Gerlach reported that the search had failed, Dr.
Kennedy placed Gerlach in the position. He said Gerlach increased
their enrollment of first year students from "640 to almost 1000."
Also, the quality of the students increased during that time with
high school averages increasing more than seven points.
Dr. Kennedy said Gerlach had many responsibilities during that time
and Gerlach was also completing a challenging PhD program at
Syracuse University. Gerlach was also able to get a residence hall
built on state property without using state funding and he signed an
agreement with the state to give it back to them after 35 years.
Dr. Kennedy said the revenue from that building added about $50
million to the college foundation during the 35 years it was to be
used. He said that speaks to the kind of person Lincoln College has
hired as president. Dr. Kennedy said that Dr. Gerlach is well
prepared to be President Gerlach, a good person with a wonderful
wife and wonderful family.
Dr. Kennedy said he is frustrated by trying to find a metaphor that
fits being college president, He said calling it a "complicate, hard
job" that is" twenty four/seven" does not do it justice. Dr. Kennedy
said the Garth Brook's song, "Fever" about riding a bull describes
what it is like to be a college president. He said a president has
to hang on much longer than the eight seconds of a bull rider. He
said one lesson of riding a bull is "to keep your mind in the
middle, (dramatic pause) ... while your butt spins round and round."
Dr. Kennedy closed by wishing President Gerlach good luck and
Godspeed.
Dr. Gerlach's Inauguration Address
Dr. Gerlach began the inauguration address by saying, "I am
incredibly humbled and honored today" and "it is my hope and goal is
to be a worthy leader as the 22nd president of this esteemed
college." He said he wants to emulate those from his past who were
found worthy in addition to the heroes from Lincoln College's past -
such as Abraham Lincoln, Robert Latham, Anthel Freeman, Archelaeus
Turner, Frank Hoblin, David Harts, R.E. Vandervorst, Raymond Dooley,
John Gelbach, Dave Schnickey, and Jack Nutt.
Dr. Gerlach thanked Dr. Kennedy for his kind words and being a role
model for him. He said Dr. Kennedy did so much for SUNY, as the
school doubled in enrollment. Dr. Kennedy challenged him daily to
deliver on student service, public relations, and fundraising. He
taught him "academic pragmatism in that our focus needs to be on
fighting winnable battles and giving up on efforts that will not
help students."
Dr. Gerlach said he began his presidency a few months ago by trying
to gain an understanding of Lincoln College's past. He said he saw
resilience in the DNA of the faculty, staff, and this college during
times of struggle quoting Lindstrom and Caruther's book, The
Namesake College: "It was a time of struggle mutually shared, but
during the depression days, the college slowly built up a tough
heritage and a desire to see it through."
Dr. Gerlach said, "85 years later, I can still clearly feel that
deep devotion towards success for Lincoln College." He then shared
about some of the inspiring heroes of our past beginning with
Abraham Lincoln.
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President Lincoln "led this country through its most horrific time
period and was more than resilient in the face of adversity," he
said. "We should all be very proud to be affiliated with the only
college named for this man while he was still living." Dr. Gerlach
said, Abraham Lincoln "faced one difficulty after the next with a
grand sense of purpose." He said President Lincoln knew the world
was watching on December 1, 1862. He quoted the last words of
Lincoln's speech as he spoke to Congress:
Fellow citizens, we
cannot escape history. We of this Congress and this Administration
will be remembered in spite of ourselves. No personal significance
or insignificance can spare one or another of us. The fiery trial
through which we pass will light us down in honor or dishonor to the
latest generation. We say we are for the Union. The world will not
forget that we say this. We know how to save the Union. The world
knows we do know how to save it. We, even we here, hold the power
and bear the responsibility. In giving freedom to the slave we
assure freedom to the free --honorable alike in what we give and
what we preserve. We shall nobly save or meanly lose the last best
hope of earth. Other means may succeed; this could not fail. The way
is plain, peaceful, generous, just -- a way which if followed the
world will forever applaud and God must forever bless.
Dr. Gerlach said President Lincoln paid with his own life the
greatest sacrifice and he is an incredibly worthy example for all of
us by which to live and learn.
Embracing the past
Paraphrasing from the school's Centennial book, Dr. Gerlach said,
"It is certain that Lincoln College's trial is not as great as that
faced by Mr. Lincoln, but it is an honest trial that has been fairly
met and fairly won." Dr. Gerlach said, "We now enter a second
centennial and the future of the college has passed into the hands
of others, us." He said, "the past is secured, has spun its web, and
taken its beautiful place in history."
Recalling further back, Dr. Gerlach said Lincoln College's founding
is directly connected to Abraham Lincoln's friend, Colonel Robert
Latham, who helped found the city of Lincoln. When the Cumberland
Presbyterian Church wanted to establish a university in the early
1860s, there were competing proposals from Lincoln, Illinois;
Newburgh, Indiana; Mt. Zion, Illinois; and Cherry Grove, Illinois.
Dr. Gerlach said Colonel Latham took the initiative to land the
college in Lincoln. In an October 1864 letter to church leadership
Latham said, the "young and flourishing town of Lincoln as well as
the young and prosperous County of Logan" did not have an
institution of higher learning. Latham said, the town "would hail
with joy and pride the location of your college in this place and
would take a lively interest as well as commendable pride in
fostering and endowing the institution."
Dr. Gerlach said Latham's letter included a "subscription list
pledging the sum of over $30,000" and offering 10 acres of land free
of charge. He said for many years, Latham promoted the good of the
school, gave it a good name throughout the state, and was ready to
lead in anything "calculated" to help the University. Dr. Gerlach
said Latham was a worthy leader and is one he will try to emulate.
He also called David Harts as another good leader for all Harts did
during his 18-year-presidency. He said Harts gave and gave and
brought the college out of difficulties, with Harts even "paying
faculty salaries out of his own pocket to keep the college going."
Dr. Gerlach said Harts was interested in people and also "superior
academic instruction as well as constant improvement in the physical
facility." Dr. Gerlach called David Harts the spiritual father of
Lincoln College known for temperance, humanity, and self-sacrifice.
He said Harts is a wonderful example for all in support of Lincoln
College.
He added Raymond Dooley, Lincoln College's longest serving president
at twenty-three years from 1948-1971 had many buildings constructed
and severed ties with Millikin University. Dr. Gerlach said the
college exists today because Raymond Dooley "believed in the school,
its mission, and its heritage." He said Dooley "pursued with great
persistence and persuasion those who might help Lincoln College
achieve its role in American education.
Dr. Gerlach said Lincoln College exists today because of Latham,
Harts and Dooley's inspired leadership and he hopes to emulate them.
Dr. Gerlach's other inspirations
He includes Dr. Joseph Kennedy on his list of inspirational leaders.
Looking over his shoulder, Dr. Gerlach addressed Dr. Kennedy saying,
"You have left an indelible mark on me through your leadership,
mentorship, and dynamic collegiate transformation."
Dr. Gerlach said his father, Robert, who served in the Navy and went
to night school to become a lawyer, could fix anything. He said his
father taught him and his two brothers to work hard and play hard.
Dr. Gerlach said "my persistence, drive, and can do attitude also
come from him."
Dr. Gerlach said his mother, Janet, she "tried to keep my crazy
brothers and me in line with her passion, but her passion was in
service, love and encouragement." She also made people feel
important and taught him "compassion, empathy, and fun."
Dr. Gerlach said, "My wife, Lisa, since 2003 has sacrificed so much
as I pursued this dream of becoming a college president." He said
she supported him in many ways. "Lisa's peaceful and kind spirit has
sustained me and my family for the years. Make no mistake, though,
she is my greatest counsel, my balance, and love of my life."
Dr. Gerlach said that his dad, mom, and Lisa are "worthy examples of
leadership for me to learn from."
In closing his address, Dr. Gerlach said, "The future of Lincoln
College is very bright because we are building on a magnificent
history of so many who gave of themselves for the past 150 years."
He said, "As we progress back to our roots as Lincoln University by
adding bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees while retaining
the access mission of our associate degrees, we must all be like
those mentioned today." Dr. Gerlach said we need to ask:
-
Are we serving students as we should?
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Can we give more?
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Are we transforming student's lives.
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Are we making Lincoln College better for those
who follow?
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Are we among the worthy?
Dr. Gerlach said, "I hope I am."
Installation of the President of Lincoln College
Robert Neal gave Dr. Gerlach the charge by the Board of Trustees:
"Carry out the responsibilities and obligations of your office to
the best of your abilities." Neal said the presidential
responsibilities obligation include "Supervision of high quality
academic programs for the students who attend Lincoln College, the
nurturing of those who create new knowledge, prudent oversight of
the lands and facilities of the College, and sound financial
management."
Neal then said, "Now, by the authority vested in me by the State of
Illinois and the Lincoln College Board of Trustees, I am confirming
you, David F. Gerlach as the 22nd President of Lincoln College with
all the privileges, honors, responsibilities pertaining hereto."
Neal and Blackburn presented Gerlach with a treasured copy of the
charter of Lincoln College.
John Blackburn also presented Dr. Gerlach with a medallion
representing the Office of President. Blackburn said it was to be
worn proudly at convocation, commencement, and other official
events.
Everyone then sang Lincoln's College's song "Alma Mater," which
references it cherished past, and has the refrain, "Lincoln College,
alma mater; Now we honor true and kind."
Darren Palmer, Pastor of Faith Assembly and great-grandson of Arie
Vanderhorst, 10th President of Lincoln College, provided the
benediction. He said "there is such an incredible the sense of
destiny in this room for the students, for Lincoln College, for all
the faculty, and for the lives President Gerlach and wife Lisa."
Palmer said, "We are so honored and blessed to have you in our
city."
Palmer thanked God for the destiny that lies before the President in
the next years at Lincoln College. He prayed that Dr. Gerlach would
be filled with humility, steadfastness, honor, and character and
thanked God for sending Gerlach for such a time as this.
Palmer prayed for God's "continued blessing through this next season
on Lincoln College," that God's hand "would continue to guide the
faculty and the staff," that "unity would be upon the school," and
for "blessing, health, prosperity, and favor" on the President and
his family. He prayed that as they bring forth ideas, that God would
give them grace and lead them forward and that God's "hand of favor
and blessing would rest upon President Gerlach and this school.
[Angela Reiners]
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