CRAWFORDSVILLE, Ind. – The inauguration of Gregory D. Hess as the 16th president of Wabash College is the centerpiece of a busy weekend on campus.
In addition to the inauguration, Wabash will host a Board of Trustees meeting, the annual LaFollette Lecture in the Humanities, a football game and student celebration of the new president.
The “Simple Gifts” of a liberal arts education is the theme of Dr. Hess’ inauguration, which will take place Friday, October 11 in Pioneer Chapel on the Wabash campus at 4:30 p.m. EDT.
Hess became the 16th President of Wabash College July 1, 2013, after previously serving as the Dean of the Faculty and Vice President of Academic Affairs at Claremont McKenna College at Claremont, Calif.
In addition to his role as Dean of the Faculty at Claremont McKenna, Hess was the James G. Boswell Professor of Economics and a George R. Robert Fellow. In that role, he oversaw all aspects pertaining to academic affairs, including the curriculum, the Center for Global Education, the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurism, athletics, institutional research, student learning outcome assessments, and information technology.
A native of San Francisco, he earned his bachelor’s degree with high honors from the University of California-Davis, and his master’s degree and Ph.D. in economics from The Johns Hopkins University, and has held teaching positions at Carnegie Mellon University, the University of Kansas, St. John’s College (Cambridge), the University of Cambridge, London Business School, and Oberlin College.
Outside the academy, Hess has served as an economist for the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, as a consultant for Honda Motors of North America, and as a member of the Ohio Governor’s Council of Economic Advisors.
Hess and his wife, Lora, have two daughters, Abigail and Meredith.
The Wabash College Board of Trustees holds the first of three meetings on campus during this academic year on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.
The weekend opens with the LaFollette Lecture, delivered by Dr. Todd McDorman of the Department of Rhetoric. Entitled "One for the Books: Rhetoric, Community, and Memory," the lecture will be given in the Fine Arts Center’s Salter Hall at 4:15 p.m. on Thursday.
The undefeated Wabash football team hosts Ohio Wesleyan at 2 p.m. Saturday in Byron P. Hollett Little Giant Stadium. Following the contest, the weekend concludes with a Student Celebration of Dr. Hess on the Wabash College Mall from 5-8 p.m.
Founded in 1832, Wabash College is in its 181st year of providing a liberal arts education for men.
Thursday, Oct. 10 (all times EDT)
4:15 p.m. LaFollette Lecture, Salter Hall, Fine Arts Center
5:45 p.m. LaFollette Reception, Littell Lobby, Fine Arts Center
Friday, Oct. 11
4:30 p.m. Inauguration of Gregory D. Hess, Ph.D., Pioneer Chapel
6 p.m. Inauguration Dinner and Gala, Allen Athletics and Recreation Center
Saturday, Oct. 12
2 p.m. Wabash football vs. Ohio Wesleyan, Byron P. Hollett Little Giant Stadium
5-8 p.m. Student Celebration, Wabash College Mall