Janet Riggs inducted as Gettysburg College's 14th president

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BY SCOT ANDREW PITZER
Gettysburg Times
Sept. 14, 2009

In the weeks leading up to her induction as Gettysburg College's 14th president, Janet Morgan Riggs did a lot of reading.

Sworn in Saturday afternoon before hundreds of people at Pennsylvania Hall, Riggs referenced one of those books - "Crowning Glory of Calla Lily Ponder," by Rebecca Wells - when summarizing her role as college president.

"The main character's mother talked about dancing from the bottom of your heart," Riggs told the chilly but festive crowd of local residents, students and dignitaries.

"This phrase stayed with me," Riggs continued, "because for me, the opportunity to lead Gettysburg College truly is the opportunity to dance from the bottom of my heart. And I invite all of you who are Gettysburgians to dance with me."

A sizable crowd braved overcast skies and brisk temperatures to officially welcome Riggs as president.

Riggs, a 1977 college alum, had been serving as interim president since the 2008 resignation of Katherine Haley Will. She was unanimously named acting president this year by a college search committee.

"While Saturday, Sept. 12 marks the official ceremony inaugurating Janet Riggs as president of Gettysburg College, her outstanding leadership has been felt for many months now since she assumed responsibilities in February," said Gettysburg Councilwoman Alice Estrada, chairwoman of the board's college committee.

"What a boon to our community to have someone as brilliant, yet accessible and sensible, as Janet Riggs managing this prestigious institution and major community assets," said Estrada. "The borough appreciates President Riggs for the college's support of our town in a multitude of ways, but most importantly, for her empathy to our challenges as a long-time and active citizen of Gettysburg."

Delegates from 75 area and regional colleges participated in the 1 p.m. ceremony, featuring nine guest speakers, culminating in Riggs' presidential address. When the delegates marched to the Pennsylvania Hall platform, through dozens of rows of white chairs spread across the south lawn, students erupted in cheers when Riggs walked by. Many held signs.

After Board of Trustees Chairman James M. Weaver administered the oath of office, Riggs was greeted with a standing ovation that echoed throughout the historic Civil War town.

Riggs stressed that the ceremony wasn't about her, but instead, the "rich history" of the college - founded in 1832. She talked about the liberal arts experience, the college's "current strengths and its very bright future."

"Our expectation is that Gettysburgians will go on to make strong contributions in their professions and in their communities, with an eye always on the greater good, making the world a better place," said Riggs. "Intellect, initiative, integrity, impact. I believe that Gettysburgians can and will change the world."

Riggs joined the college's faculty in 1981 and she has been a part of campus life ever since, most recently serving as provost. With a student body of about 2500, the college is located on a 200-acre campus in the northwest quadrant of the Borough of Gettysburg.

"Janet is the perfect president of Gettysburg College, because she personifies the values the college endeavors to instill in every student: dedication to excellence, authenticity, curiosity, service above self, collegiality, open-mindedness, respect for others, cheerfulness and true grit," said Jeffrey Gabel, Founding Executive Director of the Majestic Theater, owned by Gettysburg College.

"Janet also loves this community where for nearly 30 years, she has raised her family with her wonderful husband Ed, and dedicated her career," said Gabel. "With her talents, the world could have been her oyster but she found her pearl in Gettysburg."

She is the first alum to be named college president, although three graduates of Pennsylvania College (now Gettysburg College), have also led their Alma Mater.

"When asked how they would describe President Riggs, a sampling of students replied with these words - down to earth, caring, involved, experienced, a teacher, nice, kind, attentive, fantastic, and understanding," said Denitsa Koleva, President of the College Student Senate.

"Although these are all desirable qualities, what we value most in President Riggs is her unpretentious nature," said Koleva. "Without ever tarnishing the dignity of her presidential office, she always welcomes us with openness, sincerity, genuineness and good will. In short, she cares."

Inauguration festivities were held Friday through Sunday to celebrate Riggs' induction. The college's Board of Trustees unanimously appointed Riggs as president in Feb. 2009. She has served the college in a variety of faculty and administrative roles for 27 years, including two terms as interim provost, and executive assistant under former President Gordon Haaland in 1991-94.

After graduating summa cum laude from Gettysburg College in 1977 with a B.A. in psychology and mathematics, Riggs received her M.A. and Ph.D. in social psychology from Princeton University. She began her academic career as an instructor in psychology at Gettysburg College where she was promoted through the ranks to professor of psychology. She has also served as chair of the psychology department.

A native of suburban Philadelphia, Riggs and her husband Ed, also a member of the Gettysburg College Class of 1977 and a teacher at the Gettysburg Area Middle School, are the parents of three grown children.

 

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