T H E I N A U G U R AT I O N O F
SH AWNA COOPER WHITEHEAD, ED.D. AS PRESIDENT OF REGIS UNIVERSIT Y
SEP TEM BER
18
9:30 A.M. R E GI S U N I V E R S I T Y F I E L D HO US E
WELCOME
Jo Ann Rooney, JD, LLM, EdD Regis University Trustee Past President, Loyola University Chicago Master of Ceremonies
PROCESSIONAL MEDLEY
“Blessed Assurance”, Franny J. Crosby, 1873 ASSURANCE, Phoebe P. Knapp, 1873 “It Is Well With My Soul”, Horatio G. Spafford, 1873 VILLE DU HAVRE, Philip P. Bliss, 1976 Mr. Jon Michael Sullivan, University Minister for Sacred & Liturgical Music Mr. Micah Miller, Affiliate Faculty, Trumpet
ACADEMIC PROCESSION
Delegates of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities Delegates of Other Institutions of Higher Education Delegates of Local Jesuit High Schools Regis Presidential Medallion – Processed by Ms. Sheryl Tirol, Interim Chief of Staff Regis University Mace – Processed by Dr. Ken Sagendorf, John J. Sullivan Endowed Chair for Free Enterprise and Professor, Anderson College of Business and Computing University Senior Leadership Visiting Dignitaries Members of the Society of Jesus Members of the Stage Party Regis University Board of Trustees Mr. Derek J. Scarth, Chair of the Regis Board of Trustees Rev. Thomas B. Curran, S.J., Superior of the Faber House Jesuit Community at Regis University Very Rev. Andrew R. Kirschman, S.J., Provincial Superior of the USA Central and Southern Province of the Society of Jesus Family of Dr. Shawna Cooper Whitehead Dr. Shawna Cooper Whitehead and Mr. Derrick Whitehead
CUATRO RUMBOS, UN SOLO FUEGO | FOUR DIRECTIONS, ONE FIRE Nita Gonzales Regis University Trustee Principal of Nuevo Amanecer, LLC
INVOCATION
Sister Sen Nguyen, OSF Marycrest Sisters of St. Francis Founder and Executive Director, Bridging Hope Regis University
ANTHEM “America the Beautiful” Regis University Singers, under the direction of Dr. Michael Ballard
“Lift Every Voice and Sing” (James Weldon Johnson) Lift ev’ry voice and sing till earth and heaven ring, Ring with the harmonies of liberty. Let our rejoicing rise high as the list’ning skies; Let it resound loud as the rolling sea. Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us; Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us; Facing the rising sun of our new day begun, Let us march on till victory is won.
Presidential Inauguration
OFFICIAL GREETINGS TO PRESIDENT COOPER WHITEHEAD On Behalf of the Faculty - Dr. Kristen Jagger, Professor, Director of Operations, School of Rehabilitative and Health Services On Behalf of the Staff - Ms. Brook Thompson, Associate Vice President, Financial Affairs On Behalf of the Students - Ms. Ella Weed, Vice President of Representation for RUSGA On Behalf of the Archdiocese of Denver - Mr. John Magee, Chancellor and Executive Director of Mission Advancement On Behalf of the Society of Jesus - Very Rev. Andrew Kirschman, S.J., Provincial Superior On Behalf of the Wider Community - Dr. Alyssa McCloud, Seton Hall University On Behalf of the Regis Board of Trustees - Mr. Derek Scarth, Chair
INSTALLATION OF THE PRESIDENT Mr. Derek J. Scarth, ’95, Chair of the Regis Board of Trustees and Rev. Thomas B. Curran, S.J., Superior of the Jesuit Community at Regis University
INAUGURAL ADDRESS President Shawna Cooper Whitehead, Ed.D., 29th President of Regis University
MUSIC INTERLUDE “O Happy Day” Traditional, arranged by Edwin Hawkins (1967) Sung by the Regis University Singers, under the Direction of Dr. Michael Ballard Oh, happy day
He taught me how to watch
Oh, happy day
Fight and pray
Oh, happy day
Fight and pray
Oh, happy day
And live rejoicing ev’ry day
When Jesus washed
Ev’ry day
When Jesus washed
Oh, happy day
Oh, when he washed
Oh, happy day
When Jesus washed
Oh, happy day
When Jesus washed
Oh, happy day
When Jesus washed
Oh, happy day
He washed my sins away Oh, happy day Oh, happy day
Regis University
INVITATION TO CONTINUE THE CELEBRATION Dr. Jo Ann Rooney
BENEDICTION Rev. Fernando Álvarez-Lara, S.J., Associate Professor of Religious Studies & Theology and Chaplain, University Ministry
CLOSING & RECESSIONAL “Oh Happy Day” (Reprise) “Lead Me, Guide Me” (Doris Akers, 1922-1995) “Guide My Feet” (Traditional Spiritual)
DIRECTIONS TO STUDENT CENTER PICNIC All are invited to continue the celebration at the Community Picnic at the Student Center. Upon exiting the Field House, turn right and head west to the Student Center, located on the west side of Boettcher Commons. President Cooper Whitehead will be available shortly after the Installation Ceremony outside of Dayton Memorial Library for photos. The Community Picnic will feature a variety of food from key geographical locations along President Cooper Whitehead’s journey to Regis. These dishes will be served at multiple stations on the ground floor. Please join us!
THANK YOU The inauguration of President Shawna Cooper-Whitehead was made possible through the time, talent and dedication of many members of the Regis community. We extend our sincere gratitude to those who helped bring this celebration to life. INAUGURATION PLANNING COMMITTEE Staff Co-Chairs Sheryl Tirol | Kyle Turner Committee Members Destiny Gallegos | Kristi Gonsalves-McCabe | Nicki Gonzales | Cassandra Grady Christi Grebenc | Arthur Knapp | Mary McManus | Sarah Richard | Josef Rill Susan Roberson | Jacques Swanepoel | Jonnia Torres Carolan WITH SPECIAL THANKS TO Auxiliary Services | Harvest Table | Information Technology Services (ITS) Physical Plant | University Advancement | University Marketing | University Ministry
Presidential Inauguration
REGIS UNIVERSITY MISSION STATEMENT As a Jesuit Catholic university, Regis seeks to build a more just and humane world through transformative education at the frontiers of faith, reason and culture.
THE ELEMENTS OF THE MISSION As a university, Regis draws from wellsprings of ancient wisdom and explores new horizons of thought and imagination to pursue truth, strive for justice and cultivate beauty. In everything, Regis shepherds the development of the whole person in relation to the common good, asking, “How ought we to live?” As Catholic, part of a global community of faith called to celebrate and embody God’s love in the world, Regis educates diverse students for lives of service and meaning, equips them with knowledge and skills to be discerning persons in solidarity with others, especially all who are poor or whose dignity has been violated, and empowers them to care for the Earth, our common home. As Jesuit, rooted in an Ignatian spirituality of Christian discipleship and open to the sacred in all human cultures, Regis aspires to be a community of learners who labor for a transformed world and renewed ecosystem, and who journey as companions responsible to each other.
PAST REGIS PRESIDENTS Las Vegas College, Las Vegas, NM (1877)
Regis College (1921)
Salvatore Personé, S.J. – Oct. 1, 1878
Aloysius A. Breen, S.J. – Sept. 20, 1926
Dominic Pantanella, S.J. – Jan. 4, 1883
Gerald P. Walsh, S.J. – July 31, 1931
Salvatore Personé, S.J. – Aug. 10, 1884
John J. Driscoll, S.J. (pro tem) – Sept. 23, 1931 Joseph A. Herbers, S.J. – Jan. 6, 1932
Sacred Heart College, Morrison, CO (1884)
Robert M. Kelley, S.J. – Feb. 21, 1935
Dominic Pantanella, S.J. – Aug 10., 1884
John J. Flanagan, S.J. – March 19, 1942 Raphael C. McCarthy, S.J. – June 10, 1947
College of the Sacred Heart, Denver, CO (1888)
Richard R. Ryan, S.J. – July 1, 1953
Salvatore Personé, S.J. – 1888
Frederick T. Daly, S.J. (pro tem) – Oct. 4, 1967
Joseph M. Marra, S.J. – Jan. 19, 1892
Louis G. Mattione, S.J. – March 1, 1968
John B. Guida, S.J. – July 29, 1896
Thomas James Casey, S.J. (pro tem) – July 1, 1971
John J. Brown, S.J. – Sept. 1, 1899
David M. Clarke, S.J. – Aug. 1, 1972
Anthony J. Schuler, S.J. – Sept. 1, 1903 John J. Brown, S.J. – Aug. 1, 1906
Regis University (1991)
Robert M. Kelly, S.J. – Aug. 15, 1920
Michael J. Sheeran, S.J. – Jan. 1, 1993 John P. Fitzgibbons, S.J. – June 1, 2012 Cody R. Teets (pro tem) – Jan. 1. 2022 Kevin F. Burke, S.J. (pro tem) – Dec. 10, 2022 Salvador D. Aceves – Jan. 1, 2023 D. Scott Hendrickson, S.J. (pro tem) – July 21, 2025
Regis University
BIOGRAPHY OF SHAWNA COOPER WHITEHEAD, ED.D. A visionary, values-centered leader with over two decades of executive experience in higher education, Shawna Cooper Whitehead, Ed.D., brings a deep commitment to the mission and values of Jesuit Catholic institutions. As the 29th President of Regis University, she brings a model of shared leadership, where every member of the Regis community is empowered to live the mission and contribute to a sustainable future for this beloved institution. Dr. Cooper Whitehead’s distinguished career includes serving as vice president for student affairs at Boston College, vice president of student services at Seton Hall University and assistant provost at Loyola University Chicago. Her leadership experience spans diverse institutional types, including key roles at the University of Chicago, Northwestern University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She holds a Doctor of Education from Boston University, a Master of Education from National Louis University and a Bachelor of Science from the University of Illinois. Dr. Cooper Whitehead is leading Regis University with humility, enthusiasm and a dedication to caring for the whole person.
MEMBER SCHOOLS OF THE ASSOCIATION OF JESUIT COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES Boston College
Marquette University
Canisius University
Regis University
College of the Holy Cross
Rockhurst University
Creighton University
Saint John’s College
Fairfield University
Saint Joseph’s University
Fordham University
Saint Peter’s University
Georgetown University
Saint Louis University
Gonzaga University
Santa Clara University
John Carroll University
Seattle University
Le Moyne College
Spring Hill College
Loyola Marymount University
University of Detroit Mercy
Loyola University Chicago
University of San Francisco
Loyola University Maryland
The University of Scranton
Loyola University New Orleans
Xavier University
All music in this program is reproduced with permission under One License #A-737519 and CCLI #21245357. All rights reserved. Presidential Inauguration
T H A N K YO U
3 3 3 3 R E GI S BL V D. , DE N V E R , C O 8 0 2 2 1