Pace Installs New President In Pleasantville Ceremony

From Pace University: Despite the heavy rains, hundreds came out to Pace University in Pleasantville on Sunday to witness the Inauguration of Marvin Krislov as the university’s eighth president.

The ceremony, held in the Goldstein Health and Fitness Center on Pace’s Pleasantville campus, was attended by faculty, students, alumni, dignitaries and delegates representing more than 50 colleges and universities from across the nation. The Inauguration capped off a week-long schedule of activities at the university’s Pleasantville and New York City campuses, as well as at Pace’s Elisabeth Haub School of Law in White Plains.

In his address, Krislov talked about the University’s founding in 1906 by the Pace brothers as a small business school and how it has evolved into a well-respected university with some of the top programs in health, business, cybersecurity, arts, sciences and other areas of study. Elaborating on the school’s motto of Opportunitas, Krislov said he was very proud of Pace’s students, many of whom were the first in their families to attend college. He spoke about Pace’s success in helping these students to reach top positions in their chosen fields.

Krislov concluded his speech with reflections on the future: “We must embrace challenges while holding fast to our core values. We will change lives and educate our future leaders from every segment of our society. We will continue to make the American dream a reality for our students. This is Pace, our promise and our future. I’m excited to be part of this great institution and to work with so many people who make a difference every day.”

Speakers at the Inauguration included New York State Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins, a Pace alumna, and keynote speaker Johnnetta Cole, the first African-American, female president of Spelman College.

Stewart-Cousins, who earned a bachelor’s as well as a master’s degree at Pace, spoke about how as a struggling single mother, Pace University had supported her, encouraged her dreams and helped her to achieve her goals.

Cole, Director of the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of African Art, spoke warmly of her long friendship with Krislov and how his leadership would build upon the university’s mission of Opportunitas.

Also speaking were Krislov’s long-time friend David L. Warren, PhD, President of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, and students from Pace’s Pleasantville and New York City campuses and the Elisabeth Haub School of Law, as well as representatives from the faculty, staff and alumni. Nira Herrmann, PhD, University Grand Marshal and Interim Provost, delivered the welcome address, and the National Anthem was sung by student Micailah Lockhart.

Past President Stephen J. Friedman conferred the Presidential Medallion.

Krislov, 57, became President of Pace University on August 1, succeeding Friedman. Prior to his appointment, he served for 10 years as president of Oberlin College where he led collaborative, consensus-driven efforts to make the college and its Conservatory of Music more rigorous, diverse, inclusive and accessible to students from all socioeconomic backgrounds. Through his writings, speeches and public appearances and his membership on the National Council on the Humanities, Krislov raised Oberlin’s international and national profile while championing the value of liberal arts education.

Prior to his presidency at Oberlin, Krislov was at the University of Michigan, where he was vice president and general counsel since 1998. Krislov earned a bachelor’s degree from Yale University in 1982 and was named a Rhodes Scholar. He earned master’s degrees from Oxford University and Yale, and a juris doctor degree at Yale Law School in 1988.

Photo caption: L to R: New York State Senator Andrew Stewart-Cousins; Pace University President Marvin Krislov and Keynote speaker Johnnetta Cole, the first African-American, female president of Spelman College.

Image via Pace University