Matthew Hazlett/ The Towerlight

Maravene Loeschke was officially inaugurated as the thirteenth president of Towson University Friday.

After a procession consisting of student leaders, faculty and staff members and special guests, Loeschke entered Towson Center to a standing ovation.

After Student Government Association President Brandy Hall introduced Loeschke to the crowd, Emmanuel Welsh, vice chair of the University senate, introduced the dignitaries at the ceremony, including former President Robert Caret and Maryland senators Barbara Mikulski and Ben Cardin.

Several of the dignitaries spoke on behalf of their organizations, welcoming Loeschke to the school.

“Towson is fortunate and honored that you have returned to us after becoming a great leader and educator,” Cardin said during his speech.

Several members of Towson University’s administration also spoke, representing groups like the Board of Visitors and the Alumni Association.
David Nevins, chairman of the board of visitors, said Loeschke was his professor in his entry-level theatre class.
“40 years ago last week, a young, unfocused 17-year-old was wandering on campus, me,” Nevins said as part of his speech. “When I wandered into Maravene Loeschke’s class, her passion and enthusiasm was overwhelming, and she still has that passion and enthusiasm today.”

After the speeches concluded, Loeschke held a tribute to her husband, Dick Gillespie, who was a former faculty member at Towson in the theatre department.

“Dick and I are embarking on this journey together as we always have,” Loeschke said.

University System of Maryland Chancellor William ‘Brit’ Kirwan at the end of the ceremony officially inaugurated Loeschke as President. Loeschke gave her inauguration address, outlining her plans for the University, and said she would like the University to focus on bettering the sense of community on campus.

“Peace is not an international agreement, and leadership is not just politics,” she said. “Peace, leadership and service are a trinity in which our world’s society exist, and that process exists within each one of us. One action, one sacrifice at a time, let us work together to carry this magnificent University into the future.”