Inauguration of Dottie L. King, Ph.D.

Read by Annette Prestel Lentz ’76
Chancellor, Archdiocese of Indianapolis

From the Church in central and southern Indiana, I send all gathered here today greetings and best wishes.

To Dr. Dottie King on this occasion of your inauguration, I pray that the Lord will look upon you and send His spirit of wisdom to guide you as you lead this exceptional Catholic institution in bringing truth to eager minds. We are grateful for Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College and the Sisters of Providence and their many contributions to the good of the Church and the world.

Dr. King, you follow Saint Mother Theodore Guerin and a long list of outstanding leaders of this school. You are now a part of this celebrated history.

The responsibilities and challenges of leaders are great, but I am confident that like Saint Mother Theodore Guerin you will be a humble servant-leader who will prove worthy of the trust that your colleagues have placed in you.

General Superior, Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods
Dr. King, it is my honor and my pleasure to greet you, the sixteenth president of St. Mary of the Woods College on behalf of all the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana.

We pledge to be partners with you in “Advancing Our Legacy.” Ours is a shared legacy of belief in and reliance upon the Providence of God; of responding to the urgent needs of Earth and Earth’s people – especially to the needs of women; and of preserving in this sacred place an attentiveness to and appreciation for the gift of each person, each element of creation entrusted to us by Providence.

We extend to you our friendship, our support and our enthusiasm for the mission of the College and for all its students, staff, faculty, administrators and alumnae. You can always count on our continuing prayer for you – that Providence will encourage and sustain you in this challenging ministry. You may be sure that St. Mother Theodore will be attentive to you and loving you “as only your old Mother Theodore can.”
God bless and keep you, Dr. King!

President, Women’s College Coalition

Greetings and Congratulations on the Inauguration of Dottie L. King, President, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College

Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College has been educating the next generations of women leaders since its founding in 1840, 171 years ago.

During those 171 years, the landscape of higher education has changed dramatically.  The changes – both the challenges and the opportunities – perhaps have been most dramatic for women's colleges.

 What has remained constant in this sea of change – and especially in the confused and often uncharted waters of the world in which we live today – is the steadfast, resounding, and unequivocal commitment of the Women's College Coalition and this nation's women's colleges to contemporary interpretations of our founding missions: To transform the world through the education and success of women and girls across all age, racial and ethnic, socioeconomic, and religious groups in the US and around the world. 

This is the unfinished agenda of the 21st Century. 

Dottie King is an engaged and active member of the Women's College Coalition.  We look forward to her leadership as president of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College and her vision for the transformational nature and limitless possibilities that education offers.

President, Council of Independent Colleges

On behalf of the nation’s 603 colleges and universities that are members of the Council of Independent Colleges, I am delighted to extend my heartiest congratulations to Dottie King as she is inaugurated as the 16th president of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College.

Dottie has served Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College with distinction for nearly a decade with progressive levels of responsibility and outstanding leadership.  Her contributions to all the independent colleges in America-including her commitment to excellence in teaching and scholarship and her determination to encourage women in mathematics-have been an inspiration to us all and exemplify the ways in which independent higher education excels.

All of her colleague presidents in CIC look forward enthusiastically to working with Dottie in her new role, and we congratulate Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College on its wise choice of a new leader.

President and CEO, Independent Colleges of Indiana

As president of the Independent Colleges of Indiana, I have the privilege of bringing today to Saint Mary-of-the-Woods and Dr. King the best wishes and congratulations of your 30 sister and brother private colleges and universities of Indiana.  ICI’s mission is to be the collective voice for excellence and choice in higher education for all students and we couldn’t ask for a better exemplar of that mission than Saint-Mary-of-the-Woods. 

For 171 years now, you have offered academic excellence and a distinctive choice to young women as the nation’s oldest private Catholic women’s college through your on-campus program; you now offer this same excellence and choice to women and men through your innovative Woods Online program.  It’s clear that the “positive power of Providence” has guided and informed this place and its stewards over the years, transforming this institution but, most importantly, transforming the lives of all who come for “virtue and knowledge united.” 

In advancing your legacy, you have also advanced the legacy and reputation of private higher education for all of us.  We look forward to sharing in Dr. King’s presidency and in this latest chapter in Saint Mary-of-the-Woods legacy of tradition and innovation!  Thank you!

Chair, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College Board of Trustees

With great excitement and immense joy, I am honored to extend greetings and the warmest welcome to Dr. Dottie King and her family, her husband Wayne and their children Michelle, Shawn, T.J., Michael, Jordan and Danielle, on behalf of the Board of Trustees.

Travelling across dangerous waters and uncharted lands to create a school for women in the wilderness of Indiana, Saint Mother Theodore Guerin became a pioneer in women’s history. By establishing Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College as one of the first U. S. academies for young women, she has instilled in us all the value of a life led by wisdom and virtue united. Her progressive vision has continued to permeate the College for nearly two centuries. Today, we celebrate another woman of vision to lead our college. The Board of Trustees is proud to welcome Dr. Dottie King as our 16th president.

The search for a new president is one of the most important tasks a Board of Trustees will do. It is this process that will have the greatest impact on the future of the college. In our search for a new president to lead Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, we had a tremendous pool of talented applicants. We interviewed our constituents, delved deeply into our mission and examined the path to our future. During all of this searching, one name emerged on the top over and over again. It quickly became apparent to us all that Dr. King was and is indeed, the right person.  

We are inspired by her passion for the liberal arts experience, women’s education and leadership opportunities. She exhibits a strong commitment to advance our mission of educating young women and adult learners, a passion for interdisciplinary teaching and learning, a devotion to a culture of philanthropy and dedication to engaging the College community on campus and beyond.

We share her fierce determination to advance our legacy. A legacy just doesn’t happen. It is active, intentional and deliberate. She embodies the characteristics, experience and vision necessary to build on the successes of the past and to be an agent of change in facing the challenges and opportunities that lie before us to strengthen this institution for the future.

Dr. King, the Board of Trustees offers you congratulations and our commitment of support and partnership in all your efforts in advancing Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College.

President, National Alumnae Association

Dr. King, distinguished guests, alumnae and alumni, faculty, students, and friends of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College.

My name is Molly Ellsworth.  I earned both my undergraduate and graduate degrees from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College and am privileged to serve as the President of the National Alumnae Board of Directors.  On behalf of the entire Board and all alumnae and alumni, I officially welcome you as our 16th President. 

Having had Dr. King as a professor and having worked with her as interim president, I am confident that, under her leadership, our beloved St. Mary-of-the-Woods will continue its tradition of liberal arts education serving a diverse community of learners.  

Dr. King, the Alumnae Board of Directors and all alumnae and alumni of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College look forward to working with you to advance the mission of the college and we know that we have your full support in our efforts to keep the Alumnae connected as we serve as ambassadors for the College.

On behalf of over 7,000 alumnae and alumni in 50 states and 36 countries, we welcome you and look forward to many productive years together.

Congratulations and welcome.

President, Faculty Assembly
Chair, Department of Text and Image
Associate Professor of Graphic Design

As President of the Faculty Assembly, I officially welcome you, Dr. Dottie King, as the sixteenth president of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College.

After having worked with you as colleague, we are confident that you will continue to build upon the legacy that has been entrusted to you.
It is a legacy of many facets. At the core, is instilling confidence that each of our students can make a difference. We accomplish this every day by preparing them with a willingness to challenge ideas, an openness to new facts and an engagement to transform the world around us.

We, the faculty, appreciate the experience and wisdom that you bring, and we look forward to working with you in the years to come.

Co-Chair, Staff Assembly
Data Systems Administrator
Greetings,

On behalf of the STAFF of Saint Mary of the Woods College, it is my pleasure to welcome you today, and it is an even greater pleasure to congratulate you, Dr. King, on your inauguration.

One of the key points often expressed about Saint Mary of the Woods, is the sense of community and unity you feel from the moment you enter the campus.  The inauguration of Dr. King today, will I believe, Continue.., and ENHANCE that feeling in the Minds and Hearts of the Staff.

Dr. King fosters a great cooperative spirit between the Faculty, Students, and Staff. The realization that we are ALL ONE in the successes and challenges is ever present in her decisions, and planning,,, as well as, supporting the personal and professional growth of the ENTIRE community.

This is a place of FAITH, EDUCATION, INCLUSIVENESS, CARING, GROWTH, and SUCCESS; few things exemplify that more, than the choice of Dr. King, to lead us forward.

As time goes on, we of the Staff, will continue to Work With,,, Grow Under,,, Support, and Enjoy the contributions of Dr. Dottie King, to Saint Mary of the Woods College…

Thank you.

President of the Student Senate (Campus)

Good afternoon, my name is Sherry Bube and I am the Student Senate President. It is my great honor and pleasure to greet all of you today as we celebrate the inauguration of Dr. Dottie King. On behalf of the student body, I wish to express my well wishes for her as we gather today to commemorate this momentous occasion. Dr. King has served here for over 9 years in various capacities – but no matter the position or office held, it has always been to advance and cultivate the learning and development of each student here at the Woods.

We look forward to working in collaboration with Dr. King to enhance the learning of each student along with continuing the mission of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College. We will strive together to cultivate the skills of communication and critical thinking, as well as engaging in lifelong learning and leadership. These skills will enable not only the college, but the students as well to work towards effecting positive change in a global society. We are proud to welcome Dr. Dottie King as the 16th President of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College and wish to leave her with the words of Saint Mother Theodore Guerin – “Put yourself gently into the hands of Providence.”
Thank you.

Woods Online Student

It is my honor to be here today as we celebrate the inauguration of Dr. Dottie King.

I am privileged to be a student at The Woods where the educational experience is transformative.  The exposure to new ideas, people and perspectives changes the way you see yourself, the world, and your place in it. Yes, even in the distance program.

On behalf of the over 900 Woods Online students across the country, we congratulate you, Dr. King. As we embrace the changes of our everyday lives, we also embrace and support you… and smile as you lead our college into a new and exciting future.  We look forward to working with you to realize the vision you have for this very special place.

Graduate Student

Business consultant James Collins notes that the best organizations in the world possess two important ideologies.  They know what they stand for…their core values…and they recognize the challenges of tomorrow.

I like to think of them as this…the best organizations recognize their historical anchor points.  They embrace the work and passions of those who have gone before them and redeem from those anchor points processes and efforts that remain effective even in turbulent times.  However, hand-in-hand with that appreciation for the past is an untethered commitment to progress and the future. 

Saint Mary-of-the-Woods and Dr. Dottie King possess those ideologies with great balance.  Congratulations Dr. King.  I, for one, cannot wait to see what the future holds for this great institution.