Gathered in front of the Kremer Amphitheatre, more than a hundred students, parents, faculty, staff, Trustees, Alumni Council members, and community members spent the late afternoon on Thursday welcoming Marietta College’s 20th President, Dr. Margaret L. Drugovich.
The Welcome Event on The Christy Mall provided the perfect opportunity for the campus and community to visit with and learn more about President Drugovich, who is serving a one-year term. The gathering included comments from Board of Trustees Chair Mary Studders Korn ’82, Alumni Association Council member Dr. Mark Lane ’01, PA’04, Student Government Association President Maria Cipro ’25, Professor and Faculty Council Chair Dr. Greg Delemeester, Staff Council Vice Chair and Human Resources Director Caprice Hudson, Marietta Mayor Josh Schlicher, and Vice President for Advancement Dr. Josh Jacobs.
“On behalf of the student body, I would like to extend a warm welcome to Dr. Drugovich,” Cipro said. “Each student I have spoken with as of late is ecstatic for the new possibilities she can provide. These new opportunities for growth will forge new bonds and strengthen existing connections between students and the Administration. It’s a chance to start over, clear expectations of what we think we know, and start anew. The time is now to build a unified front and push for change together, as students and Administration.”
Drugovich began her role as President on July 1 and will serve through June 30, 2024. Korn said the Trustees sought out a leader who was a strong communicator and collaborator, as well as a strategic thinker and team builder. Korn spoke with employees from Hartwick College, where Drugovich previously served as president.
“We wanted a president who also, most importantly, values the liberal arts education experience and cares deeply about the experience that our students receive at Marietta College. When we met Dr. Drugovich, we found these attributes and much more,” Korn said.
Delemeester said the faculty understands that Drugovich has set ambitious goals for herself and the College for this year, and the faculty fully embraces that her success is their success.
“Dr. Drugovich: the faculty stand ready to work with you and your leadership team in the spirit of shared governance to provide vibrant and meaningful educational experience for our students — from the classroom to the theater stage to student research presentations and competitions and more,” Delemeester said. “Rest assured that our faculty are committed to working with you in all that we do to deliver on the promises that we make to our students about the value of a Marietta College education.”
Drugovich thanked the students, employees, alumni, parents and community members for welcoming her to Marietta College, and then gave inspiring words to educators, supporters and students after describing the early origins of what it meant to be a “pioneer” — a foot soldier whose job it was to clear the way ahead of an approaching army.
“For those of us here today who are educators and parents and donors and supporters, this is our role: to open the wave to make possible the path to knowledge,” Drugovich said. “If we do this well — if we carve open a way — our students will, in turn, be prepared to open their new paths, to modify, to clarify, to create, to innovate and become what we often think of as a modern pioneer, someone who opens new lines of thought that will inform approaches to solving tomorrow’s problems.
“And to the students who are here, the Pioneers who came before you have given you a great gift,” Drugovich said. “I urge you to accept this gift by fully committing yourself to learning. You may be the first in your family to attend college — I was — and I know that can be difficult. … Remember, we are here to help you and to support you as you find your unique way through your education and right into your career.”