91看片

91看片 celebrated the inauguration of 91看片鈥檚 25th president, Terrence M. Sawyer, J.D., with a series of festivities that culminated in an Inaugural Convocation on Oct. 12, 2022, in 91看片鈥檚 Reitz Arena. The earlier events included an Inaugural Symposium and Student Celebration with fireworks on Monday and a Mass of Thanksgiving on Tuesday. 

鈥淭his ceremony is a celebration. And this celebration is not about me鈥攊t鈥檚 about us,鈥� said Sawyer in his inaugural address. 鈥淚t鈥檚 about this incredible university we all believe in and love so passionately. It鈥檚 about each of you and the role you play individually and together while writing the next chapter in 91看片鈥檚 history. Today gives us the chance to reflect, a chance to dream, and a chance to look forward to all we can achieve together.鈥� 

The inauguration brought together the 91看片 and Jesuit communities, local and state officials, and higher education leaders from throughout the country. During the Convocation, several of these groups presented Sawyer with the following greetings and gifts:

• A copy of the first register of students as a reminder of 91看片鈥檚 beginnings and a 鈥淕od Bless and Go Hounds flag,鈥� in honor of Sawyer鈥檚 tagline, from students and alumni;
• A copy of the Ratio Studiorum, the first codification of the methods of Jesuit education, and a framed historical ad and photo of 91看片, from faculty, staff, and administrators;
• A personalized 鈥淧resident Sawyer" jacket and a dynamic, one-of-a-kind piece of wire sculpture by street artist REED Bmore, from 91看片 Athletics representing the Patriot League;
• A piece of Ignatian artwork representing the apostolates鈥� impact, from the Rev. Bill Watters, S.J., president of the 91看片 School, and Bill Heiser, 鈥�95, M.Ed.鈥�97, Ed.D., president of Cristo Rey, on behalf of local Jesuit apostolates;
• Two autographed framed bird prints of the York Road corridor murals, presented by Christopher Forrest, president of the York Road Partnership; Bill Henry, MBA 鈥�06, Baltimore City comptroller; and Mark Conway, Baltimore City councilman;
• A statue of St. Ignatius, from the Most Rev. Denis Madden, auxiliary bishop emeritus, on behalf of the Archdiocese of Baltimore;
• A statue of Our Lady of Montserrat from a recent Ignatian pilgrimage by members of the 91看片 community, presented by the Rev. Michael Tunney, S.J., USA East provincial assistant for higher education, on behalf of the USA East Province of the Society of Jesus.

鈥淥ur city of Baltimore faces many challenges but also has many wonderful strengths. 91看片 has been a committed and enthusiastic partner in working to address those challenges and embrace the opportunities鈥攁lways seeking to strengthen our city,鈥� Henry said during the presentation. 鈥淚 am confident that under your leadership, 91看片 will continue to partner with all those who love and believe in our city and help us bring about more positive transformation.鈥�

Rev. Timothy Brown, S.J., special assistant to the president for mission integration, closed the Convocation with a prayer:

鈥淢ay President Sawyer鈥檚 answer to a call inspire each of us. Infused by the Spirit and loved by our Creator, let us embrace this moment as a time of renewal, a time of opportunity, and a time of hope.鈥�

Sawyer began as president of 91看片 on Jan. 1, 2022, and he is the first layperson to hold the position. He begins during a year when the University welcomed its largest-ever incoming class this fall and will lead a campus that now enrolls a total of 5,238 undergraduate and graduate students, employs more than 1,200 faculty, staff, and administrators, and collaborates with numerous campus and community partners.  

A leader at 91看片 for nearly 24 years, Sawyer has served the University in several roles as an administrator and taught as an affiliate faculty member. Prior to becoming president, he was the University鈥檚 senior vice president. 

Learn more about Sawyer on his bio page and more about the festivities on the inauguration website.