The Event

President Hernandez receives the Presidential Medal at his inauguration

Event Highlights

The inauguration marked the celebration of Champlain College’s 10th president and was filled with conversation focused on “building a better future.”

Attended by students, alumni, faculty, staff, and friends of the Champlain community, the weekend included a kick-off celebration featuring local food and musical acts by student bands, as well as thoughtful fireside chats that both strengthened community and provoked dialogue.

If you missed the ceremony livestream or fireside chats, we hope you enjoy watching the recorded videos.

3 Days of Conversation and Celebration

Thursday, November 3

kick-off celebration

4:00 PM – 6:30 PM
CCM Building, Champlain Room/Rozendaal Courtyard

Inauguration kick-off celebration with food, music, and more! Open to all!

Friday, November 4

Champlain Fireside Chats

Lifting People and Communities
12:00 PM – 12:45 PM
Dr. Donnell Butler founded Opportunity College, a nonprofit that promotes economic freedom through “learn and earn” education pathways. Hear how he is making tech careers more accessible and what Champlain College might learn from his journey.

Speaker: Dr. Donnell Butler, Founder and President of Opportunity College
Moderator: Chloe Thenor ‘23, Law

Creating the World We Want to Live In
6:00 PM – 7:30 PM Session I
Game industry leaders Guha and Karthik Bala founded their first company together in high school. Hear their entrepreneurial story and what it takes to bring new ideas to life.

Session I and Session II run back to back.

Speakers: Guha Bala, President and Co-founder of Velan Studios;
Karthik Bala, Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder of Velan Studios
Moderator: Dr. Van Dora Williams

Being More Human (In a Digital World)
6:00 PM – 7:30 PM Session II
Dr. Melissa Thomas-Hunt is a renowned business professor and the former Head of Global Diversity and Belonging at Airbnb, where she still serves as an advisor on advancing human connection and belonging. Dr. Thomas-Hunt talks about her experiences advancing human connection and belonging in a technology-driven world.

Session I and Session II run back to back.

Speakers: Melissa Thomas-Hunt, John Forbes Distinguished Professor of Business Administration at the University of Virginia Darden School of Business and former Head of Global Diversity and Belonging at Airbnb
Moderator: Alex Hernandez, President of Champlain College

Saturday, November 5

final Fireside Chat

What Does it Mean to Be “Champlain Ready” in the Sciences?
10:30 AM – 11:15 AM
Robots. CRISPR. Virtual Reality. Digital technology is now reshaping the physical and biological worlds. Hear from three luminaries about the opportunities they see to take our career-focused, experiential approach and Champlain-ize the sciences.

Speakers: John Abele, Founder of Boston Scientific and Sarah Kalil, Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder of CoreMap
Moderator: Ann DeMarle, Champlain College Faculty Emeritus and Acting Dean of the Stiller School of Business

Official Inauguration Ceremony: “Build a Better Future”

1:00 PM – 2:30 PM
The official ceremony as Alejandro (Alex) Hernandez formally inaugurated as Champlain College’s 10th President.

The InAuguration in REview

Student holding a drink and talking to several students gathered around a table.

President Hernandez talking to several students around a table.

Two musicians play guitar; one sings into a microphone.

Hernandez smiles at several other kick-off celebration attendees.

Ceremony attendees talk prior to the event.

Close up image of the college mace showing carving in the wooden item.

Singer performs the national anthem, audience members holding their hands over their hearts.

Monique Taylor, wearing her academic regalia, speaks into a microphone at a podium.

Judy O’Connell, wearing her academic regalia, speaks into a microphone at a podium.

Mayor Miro Weinberger speaks into a microphone at a podium while others on stage watch.

President Hernandez looks at Martina Monroe ‘23 as she gives her speech.

Sarah Camille Wilson and Alex Hernandez hold a picture frame with a photo of a tree.

Hernandez watches the speaker at the podium.

Audience member and Champlain Director of Web Services Marcelle Langan listens to the speakers.

Hernandez speaks into the microphone at the podium while others around him onstage clap.

Hernandez looks out at the audience when delivering his inauguration speech.

Hernandez holds his hand over his chest as people clap for him.

Colin Owyang and Hernandez shake hands as Hernandez holds the spyglass in his other hand.

Judy O’Connell places a medallion on Hernandez’ neck while others clap around them.

Judy O’Connell speaks at the podium with the words “Build a Better Future” on the screen behind her.

Bag-pipe players lead the end of the ceremony.

Staff members in their academic regalia leave the ceremony.

The Champlain College Student Ambassadors team joins together onstage.

Long tables with place settings and stars hanging down from the ceiling.

A speaker on stage for Hernandez’ inauguration dinner.

Hernandez covers his smile while looking at the stage.

Hernandez with the words “Build a Better Future” on the screen behind him.

Programs from Hernandez’ inauguration placed on a table with a graduation cap and plant.

People raise their glasses in a toast during Hernandez’ inauguration dinner.

Hernandez hugs his son at the inauguration dinner.

Champlain’s mission resonates strongly with me both personally and professionally, and I’m excited to work with the community to build on its success and momentum.

Alex Hernandez