On Oct. 28 the Iona College community gathered together as Joseph E. Nyre was inaugurated as the eighth president of Iona College. The stage was adorned with maroon banners hanging from above as professors walked down the aisle in their academic robes and students, faculty, administration and alumni filled the room.

 

“An inauguration should not be about the person, it should be about the students,” said Nyre. He pleased that so many students attended the Inauguration, as well as all the events leading up to it.

 

On Oct. 27 Iona kicked off the celebrations with the Gael Inauguration Fest. There was free food, free t-shirts and performances by the dance team, cheerleading team and the Pipe Band.

 

Seniors Jessica Nealon and Mike Petre planned the event so that the students had a place to celebrate the Inauguration.

“The Gael Fest was an awesome show of student spirit. It went above and beyond what I expected,” said Petre.

 

The Inaugural Mass followed and commemorated this time of change by giving thanks for the blessings of the past and to praying for blessings of the future.

 

The ribbon cutting ceremony of Hagan’s new trading floor was worked into the weekend, as well as the Cram the Van project made possible by the Students for Veterans club.

 

On Oct. 28, it was time for the Inauguration ceremony.

 

The event returned to the college’s Celtic roots when the Pipe Band entered the gym to start off the ceremony. Shortly after, Leo J. O’Donovan was introduced as the guest speaker. Along with being a graduate of Iona Prep, O’Donovan is a former president of Georgetown University so he gave his speech from a place of experience.

 

He warned Nyre of the tug-of-war that he has gotten himself into because now he belongs to the students, faculty, alumni, financial supporters, board members, the church and of course, his family.

 

“They won’t let you forget it,” said O’Donovan. Alongside the warning, he left Nyre with an important message. O’Donovan said, “We all, in fact, belong to more than