Union College holds inauguration for new president

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — Union College celebrated the inauguration of their new president Elizabeth Kiss during a ceremony at the school’s Memorial Chapel on Friday. Kiss, who assumed the role on July 1, is the first ever woman to lead Union.

Kiss is the college’s 20th president in the school’s 230-year history. She previously served as president of Agnes Scott College near Atlanta and as CEO of the Rhodes Trust in Oxford, U.K.

“We were looking for a unicorn,” said Board of Trustees chair Julie Greifer Swidler. “An experienced educator with a commitment for the broad and deep education that is the hallmark of Union, while understanding the challenging times we face, and the need for change that will make our beloved institution stronger. Once we met Dr. Elizabeth Kiss, we knew we had found our unicorn.”

“Union has weathered many storms over the past 230 years,” Kiss stated. “During this challenging time for higher education, when we are called to prepare students to lead successful and impactful lives in a world shaped by new technologies and buffeted by climate change, geopolitical conflict, political polarization and a rising tide of global authoritarianism, it is more important than ever to center ourselves around our core values of free inquiry, curiosity and the cultivation of wisdom, empathy and courage.”

During Friday’s ceremony, Kiss was presented with the school medallion and the Union University seal, the institution for which Kiss also serves as chancellor. The ceremony also featured numerous musical performances and speeches from regional education professionals. The festivities will conclude with a reception event at 6 p.m. on Saturday at Union’s centerpiece, the Nott Memorial.