By Elisabeth Costanzo Stewart

October 1, 2024, will forever be etched in SUNY Broome’s history as the day that Dr. Tony D. Hawkins, SUNY Broome’s 8th president, was officially inaugurated. President Hawkins’ inauguration serves as the official marker of SUNY Broome’s next chapter – a chapter rooted in community, equity, integrity, and innovative and supportive learning. 

SUNY Broome’s last investiture ceremony took place in 1989, to install Dr. Donald Dellow as the College’s 5th president. Presidential inaugurations are a long-standing tradition within academia, specifically within the SUNY system. Through an official ceremony, the campus community formally invests the institution’s leadership in its new president and reaffirms its commitment to SUNY Broome’s mission. 

More than 300 members of the campus community and the community at large gathered downtown to participate in the inaugural events. The inauguration ceremony took place at the Broome County Forum Theatre, paying homage to President Hawkins’ roots as a professor of speech and theater.

The Broome County Forum Theatre was the perfect venue for President Hawkins’ inauguration, given his love for theater and Broome County history.
Photo Credit: Matt Ebbers

In addition to SUNY Broome’s campus community, representatives from several college campuses attended the inauguration to support Dr. Hawkins’ official transition. Notable attendees included SUNY’s 15th Chancellor, Dr. John B. King, Jr., dozens of fellow SUNY presidents, and many of Dr. Hawkins’ colleagues from his previous institutions. 

Professor Chris Keaty of the Communications and Media Arts department served as the emcee for the event. After beautiful renditions of “The Star-Spangled Banner” and “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” the ceremony proceeded with an invocation led by a selection of the community’s spiritual leaders.

Following the invocation, representatives of each of the College’s key stakeholders spoke to commemorate the day. The keynote address was presented by President Hawkins’ longtime colleague and friend, Dr. Monica Parrish Trent, Chief Program & Network Officer of Achieving the Dream.

Featured speakers included: 

  • Barbara Fiala (BC’ 98) – Board of Trustees Chair
  • Hiba Khan – Student Trustee
  • Dr. Jason Andrews – Superintendent of Windsor Central School District and Trustee
  • Jason Garnar (ISED ’97) – Broome County Executive
  • Dr. John B. King, Jr.  – Chancellor, State University of New York
  • Dr. Monica Parrish Trent – Chief Program & Network Officer of Achieving the Dream

 

SUNY Chancellor, Dr. John B. King, Jr, presented President Hawkins with his official presidential medallion during the investiture ceremony.
Photo Credit: Matt Ebbers

During the official investiture ceremony,  Chancellor John B. King, Jr. presented President Hawkins with a medallion representing the honor, responsibility, and integrity of the presidential office. 

President Hawkins then presented his inaugural address, sharing his personal academic journey and extending his deepest gratitude to all who played a role in his life. He particularly thanked  SUNY Broome’s faculty and staff for their unwavering dedication and tireless efforts in shaping the minds of tomorrow. 

“Together, let us embrace this moment as an opportunity for growth, challenge as a pathway to resilience, and diversity as our greatest strength,” encouraged President Hawkins.  “Let us forge ahead with courage and determination, knowing that the work we do today will shape the leaders, innovators, and global citizens of tomorrow. Let us strive to be our best.”

The highlight of the celebration was a surprise cameo appearance from Dr. Hawkins’ immediate family. In honor of his newly established yellow rose tradition at the College’s commencement ceremony, President Hawkins’ family came to the stage to offer him a yellow rose, symbolizing his impact on their lives and the lives of so many he has encountered throughout his career in higher education. 

The ceremony concluded with a surprise speech from President Hawkins’ sister, Kristal Hawkins Johnson, which left attendees searching for tissues. The proudest man in the room was unquestionably President Hawkins’ father,  Wilburt “Hawk” Hawkins. His regular thumbs-ups to his son throughout the ceremony were the sweetest moments of the day. 

Following the ceremony, all attendees were invited to attend a celebratory luncheon at the DoubleTree by Hilton hosted by the SUNY Broome Community College Foundation. 

Special appreciation is given to the faculty, staff, and students who comprised the Inauguration Planning Committee and to the SUNY Broome Community College Foundation, whose generous financial support made this memorable celebration possible for the institution and the community.

Members of the Inauguration Planning Committee include:

  • Justine Dadamio – Special Events Coordinator  
  • Amy Englehart – Executive Assistant – SUNY Broome Foundation 
  • Kerry Gallagher – Director of Marketing, Communications & Public Information
  • Chris Keaty  – Assistant Professor of Communications and Media Arts
  • Ashley Kemak – Social Media and Events Assistant 
  • Hiba Khan – Computer Science A.S. student 
  • Diana Lenzo – Assistant to the President/Board of Trustees (Retired)
  • Rhoda Neal – Secretary to the Vice President for Academic Affairs/Executive Enrollment Management Officer
  • Cathy Abashian Williams –  SUNY Broome Foundation Executive Director 

For those unable to attend the event, President Tony D. Hawkins’ inauguration can be viewed on SUNY Broome’s YouTube channel.  

*Stay tuned for additional photos from the inauguration.*

 

 

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