Fontbonne University conducted an Investiture Ceremony for its 14th president, J. Michael (Mike) Pressimone, Ed.D., Friday, November 14, 2014, at the campus’ Dunham Student Activity Center. The celebration featured all the pomp and circumstance befitting such a momentous occasion.
The university began the program with a posting of Academic Banners and a procession involving Fontbonne’s faculty, representatives from the community, and delegates from several institutions of higher education and other organizations. All wore academic dress from their respective colleges or universities.
The following schools and organizations sent delegates to the installation: Alpha Lambda Delta, Missouri College Fund, Phi Kappa Phi, Mount St. Mary’s University, Kenrick-Glennon Seminary, Saint Louis University, Lindenwood University, McKendree University, University of Notre Dame, College of the Holy Cross, MacMurray College, University of Minnesota, Westminster College, Washington University, Saint John’s University, Benedictine College, Chatham University, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, The Ohio State University, Maryville University, St. Ambrose University, University of St. Thomas, St. Bernard’s School of Theology and Ministry, St. Michael’s College, St. Catherine’s University, Rockhurst University, Webster University, Avila University, Mount Mercy University, Aquinas Institute of Theology, Cabrini College, Alvernia University, University of Missouri-St. Louis, and Missouri Baptist University.
After a multi-faith invocation, these community leaders conveyed their greetings: Harold J. Sanger, Mayor of Clayton, Michael P. McMillan, President, Urban League, Gary Krosch, Chair, Board of Trustees, Karen Gedera, Chair, Board of Regents, Joan Falk, Chair, Fontbonne Community Connection, Christina Anderson, President, Fontbonne Alumni Association, Danielle Ader, President, Student Government Association, Mary Asaro, President, Fontbonne Staff Association, and Elizabeth Rayhel, Chair, Faculty Affairs Committee.
Linda Straub, CSJ, then called Dr. Pressimone to service, and his wife Catherine officially introduced him. Gary Krosch, trustee chair, presented Dr. Pressimone with the Presidential Medallion, bearing an image of the sculpture “The Founding Spirit” by Rudoph Torrini, a previous chairperson of the Fontbonne Department of Art. The image is superimposed on a sunburst design with a circular inscription relating “Founding Spirit, Inspired Future” and “Fontbonne University”. The verso of the medallion commemorates the inauguration of Dr. J. Michael Pressimone as the fourteenth president of Fontbonne University.
The Most Reverend Robert J. Carlson, Archbishop of St. Louis, gave a Special Blessing before Dr. Pressimone took the podium for his inaugural address. He reflected on Fontbonne’s past and most recent achievements under his predecessor, Dr. Dennis Golden, and joyously remarked that the university is established for an unlimited future. The event concluded with Fontbonne’s Alma Mater, performed by the Saint Louis Archdiocesan Handbell Choir and Peace Brass Choir, recessional and postlude. Three inaugural receptions featuring faculty exhibits occurred afterwards around the campus.
The Board of Trustees selected J. Michael (Mike) Pressimone Ed.D., president of Fontbonne University on February 1, 2014, and he assumed his new position on July 1.
Before coming to Fontbonne, Dr. Pressimone’s higher education career spanned more than three decades. Immediately before taking office, he served as vice president of advancement at Alvernia University in Reading, PA, where he oversaw fundraising and alumni activities. He had responsibility for the design, implementation, and completion of a $27 million campaign, the largest in Alvernia’s history, actually reaching $31.6 million. Prior to Alvernia, Dr. Pressimone served as the vice president for institutional advancement at Belmont Abbey College in Belmont, NC, and Elizabethtown College in Elizabethtown, PA. He was involved actively in professional organizations and a founding member and officer of the Susquehanna Valley (PA) Planned Giving Council.
Dr. Pressimone and his wife Cathy have participated in several parish activities, including sacramental instruction, Eucharistic ministry, RCIA, and marriage mentoring and training. They have been married 32 years and are blessed with 12 children and one grandchild.
Dr. Pressimone holds an Associate of Arts degree from Catonsville Community College (now known as the Community College of Baltimore County), a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Catholic University of America, a Master of Arts in Leadership in Higher Education from Regis University, and a doctorate in Higher Education and Organizational Change from Benedictine University in Lisle, IL.
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Ron Shepitza, Ph.D., Avila University, R. Alton Lacey, Missouri Baptist University, Barney Forsythe, Westminster College
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Dean Kent, Mount Mercy University, Dr. Elizabeth (Beth) J. Stroble, Webster University
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Bob Hatlelid, St. John’s University, Rev. Glenn Miller, Lutheran Social Services Foundation
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Dr. Michael Pressimone welcomes Most Reverend Robert J. Carlson, archbishop of St. Louis.
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Mary Margaret Lazio, CSJ, Sr. Kathleen Karbowski, Cynthia Grieve
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Dr. Dennis Golden, president emeritus, greets old friends.
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Allen Grieve, Jan Sheehan
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Dr. Michael Pressimone, president, Mary Abkemeier, Ph.D. chair of mathematics and computer sciences
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Dr. Michael Pressimone, Dr. Beth Stroble, Thomas C. Minick, Alvernia University
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Joan Falk, chair, Fontbonne Community Connection, Dr. Michael Pressimone
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Dr. Dennis Golden, Mayor Harold Sanger, city of Clayton, Dr. Michael Pressimone
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Most Reverend Robert J. Carlson, archbishop of St. Louis, Dr. Michael Pressimone
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Pierce W. Powers, Rockhurst University, Dan Ferry, Benedictine College
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Judge Thomas Gordon, University of Notre Dame, Dr. Michael Pressimone, Dan Ferry
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Joanna Pressimone, St. Michael’s College, Rebecca Pressimone, Chatham University, Dr. Michael Pressimone, Cassy Pressimone Beckowski, Cabrini College, Allison Pressimone, Mount St. Mary’s University
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Burnell Hackman directed both the St. Louis Archdiocesan Handbell Choir and the Peace Brass Choir.
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Saint Louis Archdiocesan Handbell Choir
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Peace Brass Choir waits its turn.
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Peace Bell Choir
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Posting of Academic Banners
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Posting of Academic Banners
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Posting of Academic Banners
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Posting of Academic Banners
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Posting of Academic Banners
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Posting of Academic Banners
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Posting of Academic Banners
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Placing the banners
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Stage right
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Center stage
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Procession, led by Mary Abkemeier, Ph.D. chair of mathematics and computer sciences
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Judge Thomas Gordon, University of Notre Dame, Fred P. Pestello, Saint Louis University
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Leonard Cervantes, St. Ambrose University, other delegate
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Delegate, Dan Ferry, Benedictine College
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Cassy Pressimone Beckowski, Cabrini College, Pierce W. Powers, Rockhurst University
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Procession
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Procession
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Procession
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Procession
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More procession
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The delegates march into the auditorium.
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Pageantry is perpetuated.
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More procession.
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Delegates file into the auditorium.
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Focused on the task.
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Delegates
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Procession
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Procession
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Procession
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trusttes
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trustees
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Gary Zack, vice president for finance and administration
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Linda Straub, CSJ, CSJ province leadership
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Imam Muhamed Hasic, Islamic Community Center
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Rabbi Dale Schreiber, Renewal in Action; Pathways Community Hospice
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Most Reverend Robert J. Carlson, archbishop of St. Louis
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Mayor Harold Sanger, City of Clayton
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Joan Falk, chair, Fontbonne Community Connection
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Christina Anderson, president, Fontbonne Alumni Association
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Cathy Pressimone
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Dr. J. Michael Pressimone, president
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On stage with Gary Krosch, Cathy and Dr. Michael Pressimone
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Michelle Palumbo with Imam Muhamed Hasic, Rabbi Dale Schreiber, Revered Glenn Miller, Most Reverend Robert J. Carlson
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Gary Zack, vice president for finance and administration
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Gary Zack
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Pressimone family and friends
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Jon Pressimone performs a musical response, “I Am Here”.
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Pressimone family and friends
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Jon Pressimone
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Pressimone family and friends
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Harold J. Sanger, mayor, City of Clayton
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Michael P. McMillan, president, Urban League of St. Louis
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Gary Krosch, chair, board of trustees
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Karen Gedera, chair, council of regents
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Joan Falk, chair, Fontbonne community connection
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Christina Anderson, president, Fontbonne alumni association
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Danielle Ader, president, student government association
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Mary Asaro, president, Fontbonne staff association
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Elizabeth Rayhel, chair, faculty affairs committee
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Student quartet (Claire Guinn, Shannon Lefler, John Fletcher, Isabelle Liu) perform “Go Light Your World” by Chris Rice.
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Student quartet
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Linda Straub, CSJ, CSJ province leadership, calls Dr. Michael Pressimone to service.
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Cathy Pressimone introduces her husband.
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Gary Krosch presents the presidential medallion to Dr. Michael Pressimone.
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Most Reverend Robert J. Carlson, archbishop of St. Louis gave a Special Blessing.
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Dr. Michael Pressimone, president, during his inaugural speech
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Dr. Michael Pressimone
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Dr. Michael Pressimone
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One of the Pressimone children delivers a box of flowers to a member of the planning team.
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Dr. Pressimone displays his ball glove.
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Smiles and congratulations abound.
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More applause from the stage
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Fontbonne Alma Mater performed by the Saint Louis Archdiocesan Handbell Choir and the Peace Brass Choir.
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Sisters of the CSJ lead the singing of the Alma Mater.
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Mary Abkemeier, Ph.D. , leads the recessional, followed by Dr.Michael Pressimone.
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Most Reverend Robert J. Carlson, archbishop of St. Louis
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Joan Falk
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Leonard Cervantes with fellow delegate
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Dr. Dennis Golden representing College of the Holy Cross
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Dan Ferry, Dr. Dennis Golden
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Recessional continues.
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Recessional
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Recessional
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Perusing the imagery
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End of the recession
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Brooke Stochl, Carlyn Parent, Fannie Terrell, Kelly Meyer
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Laurel Newman, Ph.D., behavioral sciences, Claire Schenk
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Olivia Henson ’16, Kaylee Huelsing ‘16
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Melissa Giddi, Katie Giddy
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Melissa Giddi, Cathy Pressimone, Katie Giddi
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Tom Gordon, University, University of Notre Dame, Joe Deighton, vice president of student affairs
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Jan Sheehan, Bonnie Eckelkamp
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Abby Pressimone, Demarcus Davis, Carlyn Thompson
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Karen Gedera, chair, council of regents, Dr. Nancy English, associate professor of mathematics and computer sciences
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Monica Kleekamp, Dr. Dennis Golden
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Patricia Etter, assistant to the president, Mark Franz, vice president, information technology, and Sheila Franz, Tom Etter
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Catherine Albers, Clare Pressimone, Heidi Slaubaugh
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Dr. Dennis Golden, Jan Johnson, M.S., M.M., Pierce Powers
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Dr. Dennis Golden, Dr. Michael Pressimone
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Dr. Michael Pressimone, Dr. Nancy English, Dr. Donald Burgo, CSJ endowed chair of Catholic Thought, emeritus, Dr. Dennis Golden
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Dr. Dennis Golden, Dr. Jason Sommer, Dr. Michael Pressimone, Dr. Ben Moore, Dr. Donald Burgo,, Dr. Mary Abkemeier, Kay Graves, M.S., Laurel Newman, Ph.D., Julie Portman, MLIS
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Kathleen McMullin, Sr. Eileen Doherty, Francis Pressimone, Cathy Pressimone, Father S. Kamanzi
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Jim Thompson, Stephanie Walker, Diane Thompson