As its 10th president, Joanne Glasser promised Friday, March 8 to help lead Eastern Kentucky University to national prominence.

"This will not be a one-woman show starring Joanne Glasser," she said at inauguration ceremonies held in Alumni Coliseum. "It will be an ensemble production, where every member of the cast receives equal billing and a chance to participate in shaping this university.

"I don't intend to issue orders from on high," Glasser added. "We are all partners in this endeavor. Together we will help create EKU's future."

Glasser, formerly executive vice president at Towson University in Maryland, assumed the EKU presidency Oct. 29, 2001. She is the institution's first female president, but made no reference to that milestone.

"This ceremony," she said, "is not about Joanne Glasser. Rather, it is a celebration of Eastern Kentucky University, its rich heritage and traditions, its wonderful academic programs," students, faculty, staff and alumni.

"The essence of EKU is its solid foundation, built over nearly a century, of passionate commitment to educating generations of Kentuckians, especially those who live in the Bluegrass and in Appalachia. Our challenge now is to enlarge upon that foundation, to ensure that Eastern remains accessible to all who wish to attend, regardless of their economic circumstance, race, gender, religion, ethnicity or national origin. And that we make that extra effort to give our students the support, guidance and extra instruction they may need to graduate from EKU.

"We will remain a student-centered institution, where the unwavering objective is to open students' minds to exciting new possibilities in a way that can make a positive difference for themselves and their families."

That, she said, is "the Eastern way."

Dr. Jack Fruchtman Jr., a political science professor at Towson, said his former colleague will lead the way by personal example.

"She is unmatched when it comes to her desire to perform at the highest level of excellence you could imagine," Fruchtman said. "In my judgment, this inauguration puts formally into place the most exciting university president … in the entire nation.

"Joanne has got to be the most tireless, dedicated person that I have ever known. She will fight with grace, wisdom and passion for the things that she believes in, for the students and faculty at this great institution. She will never let you down."

While at Towson, Glasser planned and directed a highly successful $17.5 million capital
campaign, the first in the institution's history. The Daily Record, a statewide business and legal news publication in Maryland, named her one of Maryland's Top 100 Women in 1997 and again in 2001.

She vowed to share her vision for EKU all across Kentucky and throughout the nation.

"Rest assured, I will no't be a stranger … in Richmond, Madison County, or throughout Kentucky," Glasser, 50, said. "I will be visible and accessible. You will see me at the Richmond Mall, at local shops and restaurants. You will see me on the streets chatting with people. You will see me visiting legislators and government leaders in Frankfort. You will see me with business and civic leaders in Lexington and Louisville. This is now my home, my New Kentucky Home. I intend to get to know it, and to make fast friends with the warm and wonderful people of this region."

EKU, she said, has played a key role in the life of Kentucky and especially its primary service region, but "we know we can not rest on our laurels. The world is rapidly changing, and we must keep pace. We must be bold in our visions and hopes. We must dream big dreams and inspire others to do the same.

"I challenge you today to think big. And dream big. But remember that it requires attention to many small steps to turn dreams from wishful thinking to concrete achievement."

She said the steps that will "move Eastern forward and upward, into that rarified atmosphere of an elite, comprehensive regional university of national distinction," include improved access for all students, improved services to students, improved support of faculty and staff development, improved physical facilities, improved and enlarged scholarship programs, improved use of technology and building on the reputation of a "nationally prominent" Honors Program.

"Together," Glasser said, "we will create a new, vigorous vision for our university in the 21st century. With enthusiasm and commitment, we will drive this institution to new heights."

Other speakers at the ceremony included Gov. Paul Patton and representatives of various segments of the University and local community: Student Regent Nick Bertram, who also served as master of ceremonies; Dr. Pamela Schlomann, chair of the Faculty Senate; David Williams, staff regent; Terry Collis, president, EKU National Alumni Association; Richmond Mayor Pro-Tem Bill Strong (speaking on behalf of Mayor Ann Durham) and Madison County Judge-Executive Kent Clark.

In addition to former Kentucky governors Brereton Jones and Louie Nunn, the ceremonies were attended by a large number of Eastern students, faculty and staff, members of the EKU Board of Regents, numerous college and university presidents, members of the Kentucky General Assembly and other state officials, delegates representing several dozen institutions of higher learning, learned societies and associations, and other friends and special guests.
Special music was provided by the EKU Department of Music, Model Laboratory School and First Baptist Church, Francis and Collins Streets, Richmond.

A public reception was held immediately following the ceremony, and proceeds from an evening dinner were used to establish a new scholarship fund.