West Chester University Will Inaugurate its 16th President on March 28

March 10, 2025

West Chester University Will Inaugurate its 16^th President on March 28

An Inclusive Inauguration Will Celebrate All — All Week

West Chester University President Dr. Laurie Bernotsky is the University’s 16th president. (Photo credit: Melissa Kelly)

West Chester University President Dr. Laurie Bernotsky’s one prerequisite for an inauguration is that it celebrates not one, but all — all students, all faculty, all staff, all alumni, all supporters, all community partners and neighbors. Dr. Laurie Bernotsky, DPhil, will be inaugurated as West Chester University’s 16^th president and, historically, its second woman president during a formal investiture ceremony on Friday, March 28, at 11 am in Emilie K. Asplundh Concert Hall, 700 South High Street, West Chester. A first-generation college graduate from rural Pennsylvania, Dr. Bernotsky currently leads the largest R2 institution (high research activity) within Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education. Inspired by a fall/winter “mutual listening tour” that encouraged all voices to be heard, Dr. Bernotsky’s inaugural address will outline a vision for the future of WCU, building on its strength as a regional flagship of the Commonwealth of PA. The ceremony will highlight a weeklong series of events organized to celebrate all those who work to fuel the success of WCU students. Representatives from Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) and universities from throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, as well as elected officials and community partners, will process into Emilie K. Asplundh Concert Hall. More than 1,000 students, faculty, staff, trustees, alumni, friends, and dignitaries will attend.

Prior to the March 28^th inauguration, a weeklong series of events will celebrate WCU’s community of learners, educators, and friends. Inauguration week will feature a celebration of the women student leaders and women of West Chester (March 24); a purple and gold Sweet Sixteen Spirit Day filled with fun & games for WCU students, followed by an evening of “super hero” fun for Little Ram children in the community and children of alumni (March 25); a campus-wide competition where all departments, student organizations, and alumni will be invited to donate new and gently-used professional clothing to benefit WCU students who use the Career Closet in the Twardowski Career Center, as well as personal care items (toiletries) for the Resource Pantry (March 26); and a spotlight on the meaningful research currently underway at WCU by students and faculty (March 27). Culminating the celebration of all those who contribute to the success of Golden Rams will be a Presidential Gala at the Conservatory at Longwood Gardens to raise scholarship funds for West Chester University students (the evening of March 28). Inauguration event details can be found at wcupa.edu/inauguration.

Known for being a transformative leader in higher education with nearly three decades of progressive experience, Dr. R. Lorraine (Laurie) Bernotsky was unanimously named the 16^th president of West Chester University by PASSHE’s Board of Governors and began her presidency at WCU on July 1, 2024. She succeeded Dr. Christopher M. Fiorentino, who retired as president on June 30, 2024. Prior to being named president of WCU, Dr. Bernotsky served as interim president of Pennsylvania Western University (PennWest) as a loaned executive from PASSHE’s Office of the Chancellor. A longstanding champion for public education and state system students, Dr. Bernotsky is a social scientist and mixed methodologist who earned a master’s and doctorate in politics from the University of Oxford. She also earned a master’s in sociology from Temple University.