Drew University Will Inaugurate 13th President Next Week

By Drew University

MaryAnn Baenninger, Drew University’s president since July 2014, accomplished much in her first 14 months in office, making her inauguration next week as Drew’s 13th president less symbolic and more meaningful.

As president, Baenninger led a successful drive to boost enrollment, upgrade facilities, launch new academic programs, accelerate giving and recruit new top administrators. Among the new programs is a new First Year Experience, which includes a daylong trip to New York City for more than 400 first-year students, tied to Drew’s popular New York City courses on Wall Street, at the United Nations, on the contemporary art scene and on communications and media. Fall enrollment at the College of Liberal Arts, meanwhile, grew 23 percent compared to last fall.

“Drew is incredible—our faculty members are deeply dedicated to student success, our students embrace every opportunity to engage in the classroom and in the community and our alumni value their education throughout their lives. I am so proud to join Drew’s thriving community and excited to dedicate myself to ensuring its future success,” said Baenninger.

Baenninger also brings a personal touch to the presidency, hand-signing acceptance letters and diplomas and becoming the first president to live on campus since 1988. As such, she is omnipresent in the “The Forest,” as the 186-acre wooded campus is known.

The festivities begin Tuesday night with a talk by writer and New Yorker contributor Calvin Trillin at The Concert Hall and close Saturday night with fireworks at Tilghman Field. In between is a bevy of events, including:

• The Installation. More than 500 will attend, including professors and administrators from 74 other schools, alumni, faculty, staff and students. 11 a.m. Friday on the lawn behind Mead Hall.
• Academic Symposia. Three academic panels examine Drew’s New York City programs, civic engagement in cities and efforts to embrace campus diversity. 10 a.m. Thursday at The Concert Hall.
• An Artist-in-Residence Performance. Kyle deCamp, a visiting professor from New York City, performs “Urban Renewal,” which blends city history with her life story. 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Directing Lab.
• A Concert. Nashville group Queen of Hearts. 8 p.m. Friday at The Concert Hall.