Former CC President Kathryn Mohrman and former Co-Interim President Mike Edmonds look on as current President Manya Whitaker is bestowed with the "Chain of Office," a traditional symbol of the President's authority and the responsibility of their office by Board of Trustees Chair Kyle Samuel ’92. Photo by Jamie Cotten / Colorado College

By Alexa Gromko

In a moment of profound pride and celebration, Colorado College marked an historic milestone with the inauguration of Dr. Manya Whitaker as its 15th president—and the second Black woman to hold the position in the institution’s 151-year history. The ceremony, filled with joyful and inspiring music—including her father, Morris Whitaker, who sang Marvin Sapp’s “Never Would’ve Made It,” as a tribute to Whitaker’s supporters, reflected both the significance of the occasion and the vibrant spirit Whitaker brings to her leadership.

As Charter Trustees, faculty, staff, former president Kathryn Mohrman, and visitors filed into Richard Celeste Theatre, the Tiger Jazz Ensemble performed “Celebration,” by Kool & The Gang and “Lovely Day,” by Bill Withers, setting the tone for a morning defined by optimism and unity. The all-female a capella group, Ellement, added poignancy singing “Rise Up” by Andra Day. The ceremony’s theme, “Lifting as We Climb,” borrowed from the motto of the National Association of Colored Women, underscored Whitaker’s commitment to collective progress—uplifting others while advancing together as a community.

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Join President Whitaker and Officers of the Board of Trustees on Tuesday, Nov. 18, from 2-3 p.m., for a virtual town hall following the Board of Trustees meeting. This is your opportunity to hear directly from college leadership about recent board discussions, institutional priorities, and strategic initiatives shaping our future.

The session will provide insights into key decisions and topics addressed during the board meeting, offering transparency into the governance processes that guide our college. President Whitaker and Officers of the Board will share updates on important matters affecting our campus community.

All members of the College community are invited to participate. The town hall will be recorded and shared with the campus community the week after the event.

Register today!

As the campus slows down for Fall Break (Nov. 24–28), several offices and facilities will have adjusted hours or temporary closures.

Student Support Services

Fitness and Recreation

For full details on campus operations and resources during Fall Break, contact specific offices directly before the break begins.

Did you miss the Block Talks at Inauguration last Saturday, Nov. 8? We will be sharing some of the wonderful talks over the next few weeks. 

This week, don't miss The Power of Conversation by Dr. Elizabeth Coggins, Associate Professor of Political Science. Coggins came to CC in 2014 after a year as a post-doctoral fellow at Washington University in St. Louis. She earned her Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in U.S. Politics & Methodology. Coggins studies U.S. politics, public opinion, ideological identification, race, and political psychology. Her co-authored book, “The Dynamics of Public Opinion,” was published by Cambridge University Press in 2021. She teaches Introduction to U.S. Politics and Government, Race & Politics, Ideology in the United States, Public Policymaking, Political Science Research Methods, and Congress.

If you'd like to view all of the Block Talks before they appear in Around the Block, you can find them on the Presidential Inauguration website.

Photo provided by the FAC

In recognition of National Native American Heritage Month, join FAC museum collections staff in the Agents of Care gallery for a special program on the care of indigenous jewelry on Friday, Nov. 21, 1-2 p.m. Learn about the special protective enclosures used to keep jewelry safe, how these works are cleaned and restored, and projects the museum is undertaking to increase access to, and care of, this incredible collection.

Cutler Hall in autumn. Photo by Patty O’Halloran

14 E. Cache La Poudre St.
Colorado Springs, CO 80903