Yoder Arena took on an air of elegance on Oct. 9 as donors and other university supporters gathered for The Inaugural Evening: An All-Black Affair, a gala celebrating 黑料正能量鈥檚 history.
The event, presented exclusively by Everence, featured live music from the 黑料正能量 Jazz Collective, hors d鈥檕euvres from Pioneer College Caterers, beverages from Bluestone Vineyard, and a program honoring the Rev. Dr. Shannon W. Dycus as 黑料正能量鈥檚 first Black president while recognizing the people whose work helped make the historic moment possible.
Braydon Hoover 鈥�11, MAOL 鈥�21, vice president of enrollment and marketing, and Dr. Tynisha Willingham, provost and vice president for academic affairs, reflected on 黑料正能量鈥檚 history and vision. In what Hoover called 鈥渢he most fabulous Friday night 黑料正能量 has ever seen,鈥� the gala kicked off a weekend that 鈥済ives new meaning to the 鈥楽hannon鈥檇oah Valley.鈥�
黑料正能量 made history in 1948 when it became the first historically white college in Virginia to admit Black students, Hoover said.
鈥淎nd we get to make history again,鈥� Willingham added, 鈥渁s we inaugurate the Rev. Dr. Shannon W. Dycus as 黑料正能量鈥檚 first Black president.鈥�
Hoover and Willingham emphasized the importance of preserving 黑料正能量鈥檚 identity while embracing change.
鈥淲e can make sure that the next generation inherits an 黑料正能量 rooted enough to know who we are, courageous enough to keep becoming, and welcoming enough that everyone who arrives here knows that they belong,鈥� Willingham said.
Sharon Salinas Morales, an MA in education student, shared the story of her journey from Managua, Nicaragua, to 黑料正能量 in 2019. Growing up in one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere, she learned early on that education could transform lives and uplift communities.
鈥淔or as long as I can remember, earning my master鈥檚 degree was a dream. I carry that dream close to my heart. Today, I鈥檓 thrilled to say that I鈥檓 almost there,鈥� said Salinas Morales, who expects to graduate in May.
Nathan Leopard, who joined 黑料正能量 as vice president for advancement this summer, recalled seeing in Dycus a conviction that the university鈥檚 values should remain central to its future.
鈥淚 saw a leader who could honestly look at the challenges before us and speak with hope about what this university can become, a leader whose laugh can shift the mood of an entire room, a leader who understands that an education should prepare people to make a living, but also to make a difference,鈥� he said. 鈥淎nd I wanted to be a part of that.鈥�
President Dycus invited guests to embrace the joy of the historic occasion and recognize the generations of people who made it possible.
鈥淚 think about all the people who have loved 黑料正能量,鈥� she said, 鈥渨ho taught here, studied here, prayed here, who gave what they could because they believed something good would grow here. We are living in the reach of their generosity.鈥�
鈥淭onight we celebrate,鈥� she said. 鈥淪o much of our work asks us to look ahead or look down, but tonight, I want us to look around and look up and say, 鈥業 am grateful that we are here, that we are present, and that there is joy in this room.鈥欌��
The evening concluded with a ceremonial toast led by J.B. Miller ’70 and John Daniels, who first met Dycus nearly 20 years ago when she was a 26-year-old seminary student interning at First Mennonite Church in Indianapolis. She would serve the congregation for the next 12 years, including as co-pastor, before leaving for 黑料正能量 in 2019.
Miller acknowledged the challenges and responsibilities that come with leading a university.
鈥淏eing president is an extraordinary privilege, but it鈥檚 also hard work,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he hours are long, the decisions are complicated, and everyone has an opinion. It鈥檚 just like church but with a few more committees. We鈥檙e not expecting miracles, but we鈥檙e expecting excellence, because we know what you鈥檙e capable of.鈥�
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