Riley inaugurated as 18th SRU president
SLIPPERY ROCK — At her investiture as the 18th president of Slippery Rock University, Karen S. Riley committed to do her best in her role of service to the 134-year-old institution.
“My role is clearly defined as one of service,” Riley said Friday at her inauguration.
The two-hour ceremony included welcome addresses by university, State System of Higher Education Education and community officials, and musical and dance performances by students.
Riley began by thanking her parents for taking a “chance” on her by adopting her and her brother. Her father is deceased and her mother couldn’t attend the ceremony because she is in the late stages of dementia, she said.
She said she has been blessed with the opportunity to serve the university and thanked the trustees and state system board of governors for hiring her.
“Our charge is to advance human development,” Riley said.
Education must evolve to meet the changing nature of the employment environment and technology, she said.
She said her visions is for the university to thrive for another 130 years. SRU must be a “first choice institution” for students and employers, and there must be an expectation of excellence, she said.
“Mediocrity has never been accepted at the Rock,” Riley said.
Her goals are to embrace the inclusive culture of SRU, expand students’ knowledge and skills by investing in current programs, explore options to attract potential students and work with the community, she said.
Ninety-three percent of SRU’s revenue comes from tuition and taxpayer-funded appropriations, Riley said, and she vowed to use all available tools to maintain and grow financial stability.
“You have my commitment to do my very best,” Riley said.
Alfonso Angelucci, of the SRU council of trustees, pledged the trustees’ support of Riley and said he is confident she is the right person to lead the university.
“President Riley, you have the board’s complete support, you have my complete support,” said Cynthia Shapira, chairman of state system board of governors.
Daniel Greenstein, state system chancellor, called on Riley to create an environment for students to succeed, learn and respect others, and to use her strengths to advance teaching.
Others who offered welcoming remarks included Ella Bloom, president of the student government association; Jason Hall, president of the Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculty Coaches union; Joe Miller, president of the State College and University Professional Association; Michael Zody, alumni association president; Mark Palmer, SRU Foundation chairman; Jondavid Longo, Slippery Rock mayor; and Paul Dickey, Slippery Rock Township supervisors chairman.
Riley was presented with a medallion and a mace as symbols of SRU’s presidency.
Prelude and recessional music were performed by the student flute duo, clarinet quartet, saxophone quartet, brass quartet, the SRU World Percussion Ensemble, Afro-Columbian Dancers and the SRU Marching Pride.
