New era begins with inauguration of fifth president

An inauguration ceremony to install Dr. Michael H. Gavin as Delta College’s fifth president was held in March.

Mike Nash, Chair of the Delta College Board of Trustees, welcomed nearly 200 faculty and staff, trustees, community leaders and members of Gavin’s family to the event held in the Pioneer Gym. 

"This inaugural event serves to affirm that even though things will be different tomorrow, Delta will continue to adapt and flourish under the leadership of Dr. Gavin,” said Nash.

After receiving an honorary medallion with the Delta College seal on one side and the names of the four presidents who proceeded him on the other, Dr. Gavin spoke to the assembly about the “Delta College of Tomorrow.” One of the key points was about connection.

“In this moment, where technology has bridged us through a pandemic, we cannot forget the most important part of the human capacity to innovate: human connection. We must build toward a new kind of college, one that recognizes our innovation will not be through the newest technology or the best curriculum.

It will be a college that focuses on the fact that education and innovation, above anything else, provides connection. 

And, today’s gathering puts us on the path of connecting as a community, in a more normal way than the past two years have allowed us to do. It is a signal that we are collectively, as a college and a community, taking a step to tell all members of the community that Delta College will have a single mantra for anybody who desires to better their life: You Belong Here.”

Chris Curtis, professor of psychology, and Olivia Rechsteiner, 2022 Delta College graduate and president of Phi Theta Kappa, also spoke at the event.