Staff Writer- August von Seth
On Friday, April 17th, Dr. John C. Volin will be inaugurated as the 18th president of Gustavus Adolphus College. His swearing in will consist of four parts, three of which taking place the day of: the Inauguration Symposium at 9 a.m. in Björling Recital Hall, the Community Lunch at 11:30 a.m. in the Evelyn Young Dining Room, and the Inauguration Service at 2 p.m. in Christ Chapel. The fourth and final part concluding the president’s ceremonial assuming of office is the President’s Oak Tree Dedication, a tree planting event held at the Gustavus Arboretum Presidents’ Oak Grove at 10:30 a.m. on Arbor Day, Friday, April 24th.
For the past six months, four subcommittees have had the responsibility of organizing their respective part of Volin’s inauguration. Apart from the president himself, Senior Director of Brand Experiences and Engagement Barbara Larson Taylor has been a member of them all. As she understands it, her role consists of being a “connector of the many pieces.”
“Much of the vision for the day comes from the president’s office. My role has been to communicate that vision—connecting with people in our office to make sure we communicate to campus and off‑campus audiences, ensuring people have the information they need,” Larson Taylor said.
Centered around the themes of intellectual inquiry, community, and faith, the Inauguration Symposium is planned to feature three invited speakers from outside campus to offer their insight and spark dialogue, most directly with members of the college faculty, who are asked to provide “responses” to each talk.
“After each element, the outside speaker and faculty member will sit down for a short conversation moderated by Lisa Heldke, longtime director of the Nobel Conference. It’s a moment for us as an academic institution to pause and think about key aspects of the Gustavus experience which have long been part of our tradition and will continue to be,” Larson Taylor said.
Following the talks, student performers will perform a dance called Zoom In Zoom Out, which earned the “Gala selection” by adjudicators and “People’s Choice” awards at the 2026 North Central Regional American College Dance Association Conference.
The subsequent Community Lunch at 11:30 a.m. will offer a seasonal spread of fresh greens, vegetarian and gluten‑free entrées, and a range of classic and allergen‑friendly desserts designed to accommodate dietary needs.
“Everyone—students, employees, off‑campus guests—will all eat together. That was the president’s vision,” Larson Taylor said.
The main event of the day will be the Inauguration Service at 2 p.m., where the president is officially installed. There, President of the University of Michigan Dr. Domenico Grasso is scheduled to deliver opening remarks.
Larson Taylor recounted the various traditions observed during academic celebrations of this nature, one of them being the robes normally worn at graduation ceremonies. She also discussed a symbolic staff modelled after a walking stick belonging to Gustavus’ founder Eric Norelius, in use at Gustavus since “the 2011-12 academic year.”
“Another tradition is the academic mace. It goes back centuries as a symbol of power — in academics, it symbolizes the power of intellect and our long history of academic inquiry. The mace is carried in, and part of the ceremony is that the president will put on the Gustavus regalia robe and the presidential medallion, which presidents have worn for decades,” Larson Taylor said.
During the ceremony, four college ensembles—the Lucia Singers, the Choir of Christ Chapel, the Gustavus Choir, and the Gustavus Symphony Orchestra—will join together to perform the second movement from classical composer Ludvig van Beethoven’s 1807 musical piece “Mass in C major, Op. 86,” also known as the “Gloria.” Associate Director of Choral Studies Dr. Andrew Kendall noted that the performance, which will include some 200 singers and 60 instrumentalists in the chapel balcony, was originally planned for an earlier date in the semester. That event was cancelled due to inclement weather.
“The mass genre originally came from church settings, but by Beethoven’s time, works of this scale were no longer intended for liturgical use. They were concert works meant to be celebratory. The ‘Gloria’ movement in particular is designed to celebrate something significant, so it fits perfectly,” Kendall said.
“President Volin has done a great job of being visible—not only at our events but across campus—so students feel like they know him. That familiarity adds to their enthusiasm about participating in this event for someone they respect and are excited to have leading the college,” Kendall said.
A dignitary expected to attend the festivities is First Lady of Minnesota Gwen Walz.
“Throughout the service there will be guest speakers and welcomes from people across the community, including Gwen Walz, who will represent Gustavus alumni since she is an alumna. She’ll be here giving a welcome,” Cantor of Christ Chapel Chad Winterfeldt said.
“There will be a lot of pomp and circumstance, and President Volin will give a speech to conclude the service,” Winterfeld said.
The final part of the ceremony will take place a week later on Arbor Day. As part of a tradition started in 1991, President Volin and his wife, Valeria, will have an oak tree and a lilac bush dedicated to them.
“It’s a way to permanently recognize that these people are part of our community and to thank them for their commitments here,” Larson Taylor said.
“There are no classes, so students can attend. I hope they pause, even briefly, to celebrate that they are part of this great community and see that even though they are here for a short time, they are part of a much bigger Gustavus family and tradition. Students don’t often see that, so I hope they walk away with a sense of pride,” Larson Taylor said.
The option to RSVP for the April 17th events will remain open indefinitely on the gustavus.edu/inauguration website for students willing to notify staff of their intention to participate. Even so, attendees are welcome to join the festivities without registering formally.