Inauguration Ceremony of Dr. Valerie Kinloch

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President Kinloch holding the mace during her inauguration

 

The day the whole campus has been waiting for arrived Friday as hundreds of students, faculty, staff and special guests packed the Crown Ballroom at the Charlotte Convention Center for the inauguration ceremony.

The program featured community leaders, including Charlotte Major Vi Lyles, Councilman Malcolm Graham ’85 and Rep. Alma Adams, all of whom brought special greetings and congratulations to Kinloch on her special day.

“Today, we celebrate the remarkable legacy and boundless future of JCSU under the leadership of Dr. Kinloch,” said Lyles. “On behalf of the City of Charlotte, I extend my congratulations.”

“I’m biased,” added Adams, “but it’s always nice to see a woman in charge.”

During her presidential address, Kinloch expressed her thanks to the members of her family, including her husband Tom, her mother Virginia and her late father, Louis.

“When I matriculated here at JCSU, I took pride in learning about the legacy of JCSU,” said Kinloch. “In 2024, I take pride in determining ways in which we can build on that legacy. This building means we learn to be vulnerable. We must begin to heal our wounds. Education is freedom, y’all! Education is freedom and we are free at JCSU.”

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Watch the Inauguration

Friends of the Library and Campus Community Celebration

Immediately following the Inauguration Ceremony at the Charlotte Convention Center, Dr. Valerie Kinloch ’96, 15th President celebrated with students and friends of the University on campus.  The campus celebration stretched from the James B. Duke Library to the Block. It featured music, dancing, food and fun.