President Mullen Inauguration Reception

Daryl Stevenson, master of ceremonies, provided the following remarks of introduction at the President’s Inaugural Reception.

Good afternoon and thank you for being with us during this grand occasion.  I am Daryl Stevenson, and it has been my privilege to have chaired the Inauguration Committee for this past year during this inaugural season. Today marks the culmination of a series of events last spring and this fall which has enabled us to present Houghton to many who have not known her, who have not known her mission, and who have never visited campus.  What a wonderful opportunity it has been to celebrate the history and traditions of this college in this moment of inaugurating our new president. 

And at this particular moment—among the many wonderful moments of this day—we are gathered to engage in honoring and gift-giving.  Tuesday evening, our visiting lecturer, Miroslav Volf, in his lecture beginning this inauguration week, reminded us that there are at least two kinds of gift-giving: one is to give an object of substance and which is now removed from the giver and passed over to another. It is meant to honor you and show appreciation.  The other type of gift is such that when it is given, the gift is not removed from the giver, but keeps on giving. He cited the violinist who gives a gift of music and can keep giving that gift indefinitely.

President Mullen, you have accepted our invitation to have you share with us your never-ending and proliferating gift of enthusiasm for the Christian liberal arts, your commitment to and passion for high quality, your administrative skill, and your stellar personal qualities.  Those gifts we accept from you as ongoing.  In return we want to give gifts in celebration and honor of you today. These gifts we give over to you as symbols of our admiration, our thankfulness, and our commitment to you as we share in this educational project of life-long learning.

Darlene Bressler presenting the faculty gift of multiple works about John Wesley

On behalf of the faculty, it is my pleasure to present you with this collection of scholarly books focusing on the lives and ministry of John and Charles Wesley.  As we have come to know you not only as our President but also as a faculty colleague and scholar, we recognize in you a kindred spirit with the Wesleys.  Like you, John, in particular, was a devoted reader who through his letters and journals left a record of the hundreds of books he read.  Offering a summary and critique of authors from Homer and Marcus Aurelius to Pascal, Milton, Voltaire, Shakespeare, Priestly, Horace Walpole, and Matthew Prior, his favorite poet, John Wesley read in every possible moment that he could find in his disciplined and methodical life style. Most notably he read while riding over two hundred thousand miles on horseback.  After a traumatic fall from a horse, a friend and supporter gave him a carriage that even included a bookcase.

John, however, did not read merely for his own enlightenment and enjoyment.  Like you, President Mullen, he spent his life promoting reading as a means of nurturing the intellectual and spiritual life of those with whom he worked.  He is reported to have said that “the work of grace—God’s grace—would die out in one generation if the Methodists were not a reading people.”  One historian has noted that no one in the eighteenth century “did so much to create a taste for good reading and to supply it with books at the lowest prices” as did John Wesley.

As through these texts, you pursue your love of reading and learning, may the same Spirit of grace that imbued the Wesleys, inspire, strengthen, and guide you for such a time as this. 

Mark Alessi presenting the college staff gift of works by John Wesley

I know that you are all gathered here because you care deeply for and appreciate Shirley Mullen, as I have grown to appreciate her as well.   President Mullen, have been a spirit of encouragement and light to myself and many other staff on campus.

I would like you all to know that my family and I have known members of the Mullen family for close to 20 years.  From these relationships we have had with these members of your family, President Mullen,  I can say with absolute certainty that the quality of leadership, the attitude of a caring heart, and the willingness to serve which you demonstrate to our community come as no surprise to me.

Without a doubt, I believe that every one of us knows that there is nothing more fundamental in the demonstration of God’s grace than a listening ear and a willingness to serve.  You have unswervingly demonstrated these qualities, and more!, to the Staff body at Houghton in your short time with us already.

With that said, we the Staff of Houghton College would like to present you with a gift. Thank you once again for your servant’s attitude to our Houghton community.

Kate Hamilton presenting the student body gift of a personal replica of the presidential medallion

From our perspective as students I’m not so certain that what we are here to celebrate today is as much about what has happened leading up to this ceremony, nearly as much as what will happen from this point on. Now, while I in no way intend to demean this particular event, for I know that long hours of hard work have gone into this day, I want to say that the true essence of what we are here to celebrate is something which far exceeds any singular service, reception or speech.  The well-known theme on campus for the Inauguration is “For such a time as this” and what stands out most to me about this entire celebration is what exactly this “time” is.  As we have been reminded this is a time that far outweighs any one-day in particular but instead refers to an entire season – a sustained period of time. It is a time to celebrate, yes, but it is also a time to seek change where needed and a time to remind ourselves of the traditions and foundations this college is built upon.

In her first chapel at Houghton in 2006 President Mullen quoted Iris Murdoch in reference to the power of attention as a tool for transformation.  She told us, through Murdoch’s words, “We act rightly when the time comes not out of strength of will but out of the quality of our usual attachments. Our ability to act well when the time comes depends largely upon the quality of our habitual objects of attention.”  And in that example of not just rising to any given moment when it happens to occur, but rather preparing for it over a long period of time through steady devotion to what is “lovely, pure, noble and right” we find what may be one of the most important lessons and sources of hope for Houghton as it looks toward the future. In working to support and form such habitual objects of attention as a dedication to prayer, a willingness to work through difficult issues, a goal of achieving excellence in all things, a desire to affirm those around us who work tirelessly for the community, sustained service to our neighbors, and a fundamental commitment to look to the Lord God as our “rock and our redeemer” we will not be existing in just a momentary glory but rather as a steady beacon of light through both the calm and the storm.  The essence of Houghton College and the reputation earned as time passes is not only as it appears in this moment, but also how it is, and will be, day to day.

As a student who has been privileged to work closely with Shirley Mullen I have been personally impressed by her tireless dedication to her role as president and willingness to dialogue with students on the areas of life which concern us, whether they be insular Houghton issues or larger theoretical questions.  I want to thank President Mullen on behalf of all of the students of Houghton College for the many hours she has dedicated to getting to know and listen to us, and will be looking forward to seeing how this relationship between the students and the president continues to grow as this season progresses.  For I do not see this as a time which ends today, but instead begins.  

The gift I am here to present on behalf of the students of the classes of 2007, 8, 9 and 10 (those classes which were here during her first year as president) is a personal copy for her of the college presidential medallion, since the one she was presented earlier this afternoon will be retained by the college to be passed down throughout the years.  May this gift be something to remind you, President Mullen, of the students of this college and of your time here during your tenure as president of Houghton, both the time that has led to this moment and, perhaps more importantly, all the memories and events which will take place from this point on.

Sharon Brautigam, assisted by Dan Bates and Karl Eastlack, presenting the gift from the Leadership Boards, a magnificent grandfather clock

President Mullen, on this day of your inauguration as the President of Houghton College, the Board of Trustees, Board of Directors of the Houghton College Alumni Association, and the President’s Advisory Board publicly affirm our confidence that God has called you to Houghton College for such a time as this.

The Word of God declares that there is a time for everything.  This statement leads a person with as many demands on her time as you have to ask, “What is it time for right now?”  To assist you in answering this question, I now present our gift to you in honor of your inauguration…. 

This clock rings out three chimes.  On this occasion of your return from a long sojourn at Westmont College, one of these chimes, St. Michael’s Chimes, might be considered the one most appropriate to this moment, as it is said to ring out joyously these words: 

                                    Home again, home again

                                    From a foreign land. 

However, as you go forward each day from this Inauguration Day, I believe another chime this clock can ring is more suitable. The Westminster Chimes are believed to be saying this prayer:

                                    Lord through this hour be Thou our guide

                                    So, by Thy power, no foot shall slide.

I trust that this clock and the chimes it rings will be a constant reminder that we stand together to assist you as God leads you in the days ahead.  God bless you, President Mullen. 

Phil Stockin presenting the gift from the Houghton Academy, a delicate carved wooden sculpture, symbolizing the links across the years

President Mullen……Houghton Academy and Houghton College have enjoyed a close relationship for over 100 years.  In linking these two institutions, I mention Houghton Academy first since that is its historical position.  In 1883 Houghton Wesleyan Methodist Seminary, now Houghton Academy, commenced a presence in this valley with upper elementary grades.  Soon thereafter secondary level classes were added and over the next several decades… the college program over which you now preside, was established. 

I am here today, representing the “mater familias,” to congratulate the “favored child” on her choice for a new leader, and to congratulate you on your inauguration as Houghton College’s fifth President.

The fact that you are only the fifth President in the college’s hundred year plus history is most remarkable.  This handful of presidents indicates an all important strength of our college.  When I was just a fledgling administrator, it was pointed out to me that whenever there is an educational institution that becomes and remains successful, you will find individuals who give their lives to the cause.  This presidential chain with so few links is no small factor in the stature that Houghton College enjoys today.

When J. S. Luckey, an Academy graduate and the college’s first President, returned to Houghton in 1908 he was both College President and Academy Principal.  Prior to that date five different men had served as Principal of the school program Willard Houghton founded in 1883.  In 1917 President Luckey appointed a Principal/teacher for the high school and that secondary level chain has continued to this day with equally few links. 

Often in our schools it is the administrator….but at times it is a faithful long-serving faculty or staff member….whose influence keeps the institutional ship on course when currents arise that might cause the ship to drift.  Thanks be to God for the many life-long servants in Houghton’s history whose influences have kept our schools true to our founder’s vision.

The gift Houghton Academy presents you today is a hand-crafted visual rendering of the thoughts I have just expressed.  God’s faithfulness to Willard Houghton’s vision for “fixing up the world” is clearly seen in the faithful service, not just of the names inscribed on these chain links but of many others as well….administrators, faculty, and staff…who have given of themselves over these 124 years.  And these chains rest on the symbolic flame of the Holy Spirit through whom we receive our calling and our capacity...“for fixing up the world.”

May this gift serve as an affirmation in the days ahead of God’s faithfulness through Houghton College’s history and his faithfulness to you as her President. 

NOTE:  When I went on the internet to find a woodcarver with whom I could begin a dialogue about this gift, I found a long list, narrowed it down to those in New York State, and made a selection based on the name of his studio which indicated he might be a Christian.  This pretty much random selection turned out to be a Houghton College alumnus.  I owe much to Stephan for his suggestions and craftsmanship in creating this inaugural gift.

R. Stephan Toman, Sonrise Woodcarving  Studio, Houghton College  Class of 1982

Kerry Kind and Earle Wilson presenting the gift from The Wesleyan Church, a copy of the Holy Bible.

President Shirley Mullen, on behalf of The Wesleyan Church and its nearly half-million members and eight thousand ministers, I bring you greetings. 

Dr. Mullen, your inauguration as president is a sign that the bonds linking Houghton College and The Wesleyan Church are strong and sure.  For in your family roots, in your own character and values, and in your leadership decisions we see the unity of the church and the academy exemplified.  Dear sister, we welcome you once again as a beloved and trusted member of our family.  The heritage, the faith, and the ideals of The Wesleyan Church will be projected to succeeding generations as you dedicate yourself to their preservation in the present.

Thank you for accepting this high calling from the Lord.  We will pledge our cooperation, our support, and our prayers for the days ahead.  And we will unite our hearts with yours as you call us to a consuming passion for Jesus Christ, to personal and corporate holiness, to great academic challenges, and to the preparation of our young men and women for successful lives as Christ-centered scholar-servants in a changing world.    

As a token of our high esteem for you and of our shared submission to the Lord, we present to you this Holy Bible, not merely as an artifact of this occasion, but chosen as an essential tool for your ministry and for your life.  Let it be for you a never-failing source of comfort, inspiration, correction, and insight from God.

Rachel Wright and Alison Young  presenting the Class of 2007 gift, the presidential portrait

On behalf of the class of 2007, I am honored to be able to present our class gift to President Mullen and Houghton College.  Our class announced the commissioning of this painting at our graduation.  Today we present the completed work.  The artist, Kyle Stevenson, a 1996 Houghton College graduate and son of current professor Dr. Daryl Stevenson, also painted the Chamberlains’ portrait which hangs in the Chamberlain Center.  This new painting of President Shirley Mullen will be displayed in Luckey Building in the hall of presidents. 

It is our pleasure to unveil the gift from the class of 2007 to our new college president and the community as a whole.

Daryl Stevenson’s introduction of Robert Danner for the Closing Remarks

Finally, I call to the podium my good friend Robert Danner, Vice President for Student Life Emeritus, and organizational man extraordinaire!  Bob and his wife Roselyn were asked by the Inauguration Committee a year ago to oversee the details of this undertaking and they have been passionate about this task. I explained to them that we wanted someone to be the trail boss—to shepherd the innumerable details of the many subcommittees. 

Clearly, there is a huge debt that we owe to the members of the Committee and all subcommittee members, and I hope that you have felt the warmth and hospitality of them throughout this seminal day in the life of this college. Clearly, this effort takes a village—a little village with many large hearts—to execute this event. And Bob has been one of the large hearts. I am so grateful to him for shepherding this great task to completion.  And now, we have given Bob the last word as he brings some closing remarks.