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October 29, 2021WORCESTER – Vincent D. Rougeau was installed Oct. 22 at the College of the Holy Cross as its 33rd president – the first lay and first Black president to lead the 178-year-old institution.
President Rougeau, who succeeded Jesuit Father Philip L. Boroughs on July 1, was previously dean of the Boston College Law School and the inaugural director of the new Boston College Forum on Racial Justice in America. He currently serves as president of the Association of American Law Schools.
In his inaugural address, President Rougeau underscored the importance of making sure higher education is a place where people of all backgrounds can participate in the pursuit of social justice.
“This is our enduring mission, guided by our Catholic faith, and reflecting the
changing times,” he said. “This is a moment of opportunity, of audacious hope, and belief in the transformative power of education. This is a day when a Black layman from the south can lead a Jesuit college in New England.”
President Rougeau, with his family in attendance, including his mother, Shirley; father, Weldon, and stepmother, Shirley; wife, Dr. Robin Kornegay-Rougeau; three sons, Christian, Alex and Vincent Jr., shared his vision for the college.
“Through a dynamic expression of today’s Jesuit mission, we will lead Holy Cross to realize its full potential as one of the finest liberal arts institutions in the world,” he said. “At Holy Cross, we accept that our world is knotty and imperfect. We believe that the best preparation for the challenges of the 21st century is a broad liberal education rooted in discovery, and amplified by our Catholic intellectual traditions.”
Those attending the event included Jesuit Father Joseph M. O’Keefe, provincial of the USA East Province of the Society of Jesus; Bishop McManus; Worcester Mayor Joseph Petty; and representatives from colleges and universities throughout the country.
Festivities included an inauguration Mass on Oct. 22 at Holy Cross’ St. Joseph’s Chapel. The previous day there was a faculty symposium titled “Global Engagement and Democratic Citizenship,” featuring a keynote address by human rights expert, legal scholar and former Dean of Harvard Law School Martha Minow, and a concert with jazz trumpeter and composer Terence Blanchard at Mechanics Hall.
