Nearly five months after his selection, Michael Lindsay’s presidential inauguration is set for Oct. 8 during chapel service.
Lindsay officially began his work and succeeded Interim President Emeritus Paige Cunningham on Aug. 16, just prior to the fall semester’s start.
Joyce Wood, senior director of parent and community relations, took a coordinator role for Lindsay’s inauguration. She has worked at Taylor for 42 years and attended several past inaugurations. Wood said this year’s presidential inauguration is a single-day event, whereas it has been held over multiple days in Taylor history.
At 8 a.m., delegates and other special guests will meet with Taylor faculty in Odle Arena for the robing ceremony. The main event, referred to as the installation, begins at 10 a.m. in Kesler Student Activities Center (KSAC) where Lindsay will issue his inaugural address.
Following Lindsay’s address, he has chosen a few people to bring greetings on behalf of Christian higher education, the global Church and dependent higher education, Wood said.
Then, three speakers will deliver charges to the attendants, including President Shirley V. Hoogstra of Council of Christian Colleges & Universities (CCCU) and President David Wright of Indiana Wesleyan University. The installation will also include Lindsay’s wife, Rebecca, speaking a prayer of dedication.
All faculty, students, Taylor alumni and Taylor family are invited to attend and kick off Homecoming Weekend in a historic fashion.
“It’s been a real honor to be able to work with (Lindsay) and get to know him through his leadership, as he shares with me the kind of things he’s looking for in the inauguration and then, of course, what kind of bleeds out of that is hope for Taylor and her future,” Wood said. “That’s been a really distinct privilege to be able to do that.”
From 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m. a luncheon will occur for delegates and friends and family of Lindsay. Then, 2 p.m.–4 p.m. is an all-campus reception at Bond Plaza where students, faculty, staff and Homecoming guests can meet the Lindsay family.
Donna Downs, associate professor of communication, has been a part of Taylor since 1987 and has attended four presidential inaugurations. She personally helped plan President Emeritus David Gyertson’s inauguration in 2000 while on the public relations team.
Downs said she distinctly remembers the moment when the music started playing and faculty began walking toward the KSAC, initiating Gyertson’s inauguration.
“Joyce Wood and I stood there soaking it all in,” Downs said. “It seemed almost like a holy moment. God’s ordination of this time of transformation … a sense that he was present and guiding our way.”
Now a professor, Downs has not had much direct contact with Lindsay but has observed his frequent efforts seeking outside input and transparency.
“I’m looking forward to a new era where what we do best here — classroom teaching, face-to-face with 18 to 22-year-olds — is resourced well with both financial and human resources,” Downs said. “His inauguration is the beginning of that era; it’s a time of hope and blessing.”
Senior Sarah Malak plans to attend Lindsay’s inauguration. She is excited to officially welcome Lindsay to Taylor and get a glimpse into what he offers as a person.
Malak’s first impression of Lindsay came last spring at an Office of Intercultural Programs (OIP) student leadership meeting. As an international student, Malak said she was comforted by how passionately he spoke about diversity.
“As a senior, I’ve seen how the different issues we have faced over the last few years caused division on campus,” Malak said. “I hope that moving forward with a new president, that Taylor can get to experience some more consistency and unity.”
To start off the inaugural celebrations, The President’s Inaugural Ball was held Oct. 2 from 8–10 p.m. in the Euler Atrium as a way to commemorate Lindsay’s inauguration.
