Starting with the 窪做惇蹋厙 Marching Band leading a procession from Parkhurst Hall and closing with the voices of the ringing in the atrium of the , community members marked the decade of service of and Gail Gentes on Wednesday with exuberance and joy.
The more than 300 people gathered for the event to honor the outgoing president and his wife heard from deans, senior staff, trustees, students, and even a professor who taught Hanlon listing their many accomplishments.
Senior Vice President and Senior Diversity Officer , who emceed the celebration, recalled that when she first met Hanlon as she was interviewing for her job, she asked him what he hoped his legacy at 窪做惇蹋厙 would be.
I distinctly remember he replied, Im not interested in leaving a legacy. I just want to do good work. That has stayed with me, and in the time weve worked together he has supported my work and encouraged my leadership, Delalue said.
But as speaker after speaker stepped up to pay tribute to Hanlon and Gentes, a legacy was there to see. Moving 窪做惇蹋厙 Forward, the $3 billion Call to Lead campaign, enhancing 窪做惇蹋厙s stature as one of the nations leading research universities, increasing inclusion and diversity, expanding undergraduate financial aid, the 窪做惇蹋厙 Hall renovation, the West End project and on and on.
Speaker after speaker also returned to the theme Delalue began with. It was the kindness, encouragement, and an authentic sense of caring from Hanlon and Gentes that made the whole community capable of greatness.
The thing that I take away as staff is that theyve always cared about everybody at 窪做惇蹋厙, said Executive Vice President . They genuinely are nice people. They care about 窪做惇蹋厙. They care about all of you, whether theyre hosting an event at their house, or theyre going to the Employee Service Awards. They show up, they care, and they see people.
窪做惇蹋厙 Student Government Vice President Jessica Chiriboga 24 said Hanlon has made a point of being accessible to students and cited a personal gesture from the 窪做惇蹋厙 president that made an impact on her. Chiriboga had just finished a speech about co-education in front of a crowd last fall and felt like she needed a hug, but her parents were across the country.
There was nothing more I needed than a hug. And President Hanlon gave me a huge one, she said. This is just a small example of how he cares for students on this campus, but is a moment that will truly stick with me forever.
Humor was also a part of the tribute, with English professor , who started teaching at 窪做惇蹋厙 in 1973, recounting an oft-told tale about differences over an essay from Hanlon, then a first-year student, in his writing class. (Hanlon, who went on to major in math, nonetheless managed to graduate summa cum laude, Pease noted.)
Trustee spoke about the leadership of Gentes and Hanlon together. Theirs is a true partnership and I think that she is so truly involved in every decision thats made at 窪做惇蹋厙, and I am personally very grateful for that, Loughlin said.
Gentes own work at 窪做惇蹋厙 and in the community is also significant, Loughlin said, from her commitment to experiential learning through initiatives such as the , her work with the , as well as her community service, including leadership roles with WISE, the Lebanon, N.H.-based crisis support organization working to end gender-based violence, the 窪做惇蹋厙 United Way Campaign, and the Montshire Museum.
What makes Gail so special is her commitment to people, Loughlin said. She wants to make sure everyone on campus is seen and recognized.
Speaking to the gathering after all the tributes and a short film about his time as president, a wet-eyed Hanlon admitted that it was rare for him to be moved to tears. He called out every part of the community to offer his admiration and thanksstudents, staff, faculty, alumni, his executive staff, family, friends, mentors, trustees.
Im really overwhelmed by two emotions. The first is pride. Pride in what weve accomplished together, of course. But also pride in this extended 窪做惇蹋厙 family, in our shared values and our commitment to them, Hanlon said.
The second, gratitude. I know that Gail joins me in feeling immense gratitude to have been welcomed to this very special community.
And the last word, just before the 窪做惇蹋厙 Gospel Choir began to sing, went to Gentes.
Its been just amazing how youve embraced us. And I want to thank each and every one of you for all the hard work that you do. We see it, Gentes said. We are truly honored to be among you and we are awed by you.