Promising to cultivate new leaders and solidify the university's standing as an economic development engine, Rochelle Ford was inaugurated as Dillard University's eighth president Friday during a ceremony in New Orleans attended by hundreds of faculty, students, alumni and community members.
Though Ford took the helm of the 1,200-student historically Black private university in July, Friday's ceremony marked her formal investiture.
“It’s been a whirlwind but amazing,” Ford said Thursday of her time at Dillard so far.
Ford said her presidency will prioritize that Dillard become a part of economic development in the community and will emphasize six areas for the next generation of Dillard community members:
- Safe and equitable communities
- Food equity
- Economic development and entrepreneurship
- Sustainability and innovation
- Improving cybersecurity
- Mental and physical health.
“You’re going to see an inclusive community [that] is acting on our commitment to cultivate leaders,” she said.
The Dillard University Choir sang multiple gospel selections at the celebration, and Jolisa Singletary, a 2006 graduate, sang the national anthem.
Ford said many people flew in and that many others were watching the livestream Friday. One of her friends even traveled to the ceremony from Hawaii, she said.
"I’m excited to be around so many of my mentors (and) my friends," she said.
Ford came to Dillard from Elon University in North Carolina, where she was dean of Elon's School of Communications after spending much of her career in public relations and education.
She has an undergraduate degree from Howard University, a master's in public relations and journalism from the University of Maryland and a doctorate in journalism from Southern Illinois University. She also has a graduate certificate in higher education administration from Harvard University.
Though Friday’s ceremony was dedicated to Ford, she said that the day represented a “celebration of our past,” namely the 150-year history of Dillard University.
“It really launches a celebration of us,” she said.
Ford named the university’s reviving of its National Center for Black Jewish Relations and the work the school’s Center for Racial Justice has done as top accomplishments of the university during her time so far as president. Ford added that Friday's ceremony was an example of Dillard’s diversity as a university. "We cannot advance society without working together.”
Larry Covington of the Ebenezer United Church of Christ in Burlington, North Carolina, welcomed Ford and prayed for her success.
“You're part of history now,” Covington said.
Rachel Mercadel, chair of the Dillard University Staff Council and a member of the class of 1975, welcomed Ford to the Dillard family and praised her for the hard work she’d done already for the university. She ended her greeting calling Ford the “eighth wonder of the university.”
“She came with sleeves rolled up, boots on the ground and ready,” Mercadel said. “We are here to work with you.”