Inauguration of Longwood’s 26th President W. Taylor Reveley IV

Longwood University welcomed its 26th president on Friday, Nov. 19 in an inauguration ceremony on campus. President W. Taylor Reveley IV joined the Longwood community on June 1, but was officially installed during the ceremony.

The ceremony began with a musical prelude by the Longwood Wind Symphony, directed by Dr. Gordon Ring, professor of music at Longwood. Several Longwood professors, faculty and staff walked into the ceremony during the processional, and the Call to Order was directed by Chief Faculty Marshal Dr. James Jordan. This was followed by the singing of the National Anthem as done by Dr. Christopher Swanson, associate professor of music.

Associate Professor of History Dr. Larissa Fergeson then recited an opening reflection with words by Reveley’s grandfather, W. Taylor Reveley II, who was president of Hampden-Sydney College from 1963-1977. The Reveley family has a history of serving as presidents to college campuses. W. Taylor Reveley III is the current president of the College of William & Mary.

65th Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia Gerald Baliles was next to speak. “There are notable fathers and sons who have each, in turn, led different colleges and universities,” said Baliles. “The fact that two Taylor Reveleys now serve contemporaneously is remarkable.”

Virginia’s Secretary of Education Laura Fornash was the next to greet Reveley, welcoming him into his university presidency.

Several members of the Longwood University community were next to welcome Reveley to the campus, including Longwood University Foundation Board President Robert Burger, Longwood University Alumni Board President Kathleen Early, Student Government Association (SGA) Vice President Steven Sommer, Staff Advisory Committee Co-chair Allison Dobson, and Faculty Senate Chair David Lehr.

On behalf of the students of Longwood, Sommer noted in his speech that he is sure Reveley will lead the university into a “brighter future.”

Reveley’s father was next to speak during the ceremony. He reflected on Reveley and spoke about the line of college and university presidencies in their family, saying, “It’s always fun to see one of the offspring go into the family business.” Reveley III’s sense of humor earned him several laughs from the audience during his speech.

Rector of the Longwood University Board of Visitors Marianne Radcliff conducted the actual installation of President Reveley. She called him to the podium so that he could recite the oath of office, which went as follows:

“I, Taylor Reveley do solemnly swear that I will faithfully commit myself to the mission of Longwood University. That I will serve the Commonwealth of Virginia with integrity, vision and wisdom. And that I will uphold the values and traditions of the university and the laws of the Commonwealth to the best of my ability, so help me God.”

Reveley then gave his inaugural address where he stressed the importance of Longwood students being citizen leaders. He said, “You know indeed that we live in hard times with a future of vast possibility.” However, he made it clear that these possibilities outweigh the hard times.

After the formal ceremony, Reveley led students, faculty and staff to Brock Commons, the center of Longwood’s campus, where the university bell had been moved for the event. Reveley and SGA members rang the bell a grand total of 26 times in honor of his inauguration.

However, the bell lacked a rope or striker of any sort, so Reveley made the crowd laugh as he removed his boot to strike the bell. His boot was passed between himself and SGA members until it had hit the bell all 26 times.

Longwood is proud to officially welcome President W. Taylor Reveley IV.