Kathleen Buckley, University Chaplain
Invocation at Inauguration of President William L. Fox
October 24, 2009

At the laying of the cornerstones of Gunnison Memorial Chapel and Hepburn Hall of Chemistry, in August of 1925, President Richard Eddy Sykes said and I quote, “[The founders of this university] were men and women who believed that the object of education is character in the sense of noble purpose, exact intellectual attainments, and a true philosophy of life. … And there is a subtle influence about every college … an atmosphere that exerts a power which has much to do with moulding student’s lives for good or ill. ” End quote

And so, honoring the best impulses of those who have come before and the intangible power of welcome here in this place, let us join together in prayer

O Holy One, source our highest impulses, we bow in gratitude this hour as we invest William L. Fox with the leadership of St. Lawrence University and the Laurentian Community around the globe. And we give thanks for delegates from sister institutions gathered to celebrate with us.

As we begin this ceremony let us not forget the nature of our investment. In the words of Rev. Peter Gomes, mentor and friend of Dr. Fox, a university is an investment in hope.

And so we pray that President Fox would be a wise keeper of that hope, so that St. Lawrence would be a place where goodness prevails.

Grant him the strength of character and depth of compassion to steer us wisely, ever mindful that the well of wisdom is deeper than any struggle we might face. 

And may each of us present here today remember and renew the call upon our lives to be purveyors of hope and wisdom; indeed, stir up among us our very first love – our love in the power of ideas to change the world. 

As we begin this new era, we reach back across the decades, touch the hopes expressed at the laying of the cornerstones, and ask that we would build well upon that foundation.

 Shalom. Salaam. Shanti om shanti ... Peace.  Amen.