Br. Norman W. Hipps, O.S.B., Inaugurated as 17th President of SVC

LATROBE, Pa., Oct. 11 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Br. Norman W. Hipps, O.S.B., was inaugurated as the 17th president of Saint Vincent College today during a formal Vespers and Inauguration Ceremony in the historic Saint Vincent Archabbey Basilica.

During the inaugural portion of the ceremony, Mr. J. Christopher Donahue of Federated Investors, Inc., Chair of the Board of Directors of Saint Vincent College Corporation, read the Inaugural Proclamation and Archabbot Douglas conferred the Presidential Insignia on Br. Norman, who announced his acceptance and gave the Presidential Address.

Br. Norman's remarks focused on Saint Vincent College's Catholic, Benedictine, liberal arts mission and heritage.

"Catholicism strives to bring the virtue of hope to bear in the midst of life's uncertainties," he said, "a hope that can be life-changing and life-sustaining, a hope in things seen and unseen."

"When Pope Benedict XVI was in Portugal this past May, he reiterated what the Catholic Church teaches when it is at its best," Br. Norman continued, "namely, that we do not wish to impose anything, but to propose ceaselessly, that each of us has been made for something greater, that God has a purpose for each of us, and that we look to a kind of hope that outlasts every human disappointment. We hold a treasure in earthen vessels yet the inspired words of the prophet Micah invite us to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with our God."

"Divine Providence has brought all of us to this time and place together," Br. Norman concluded. "I invite you to join me in my hope, that as individuals we might not be able to do much, but with the help of many brothers, and sisters, together we can accomplish things beyond our wildest imagination. Please join me."

Thirty-three colleges and universities were represented by presidents or delegates in the academic procession.

Earlier in the day, a tree planting ceremony was conducted by Student Government Association President Stephanie Fitzgerald in honor of Br. Norman's commitment to environment awareness and advancing Saint Vincent as a green campus.

Br. Norman becomes the chief executive officer of America's first Benedictine college, a 164-year old Catholic college of the liberal arts and sciences which is sponsored by the Benedictine monks of Saint Vincent Archabbey.

SOURCE St. Vincent College