Friday Apr 17, 2026
09:00 am ~ 11:30 am
Jussi Björling Recital Hall
Overview
The inauguration symposium is an exploration of key themes that inform the presidency at Gustavus Adolphus College. Invited speakers will offer reflections on each theme, followed by a response and dialogue with a member of the Gustavus faculty.
9:00 a.m. | Intellectual Inquiry
As political polarization, information disorder, and artificial intelligence reshape today’s intellectual landscape, how might Gustavus cultivate modes of inquiry grounded in curiosity, humility, and moral discernment—preparing students to navigate and contribute wisely to an increasingly complex world?
Speaker: Dr. Tom Katsouleas, Response: Dr. Laura Triplett
9:45 a.m. | Community
What does it mean to build a flourishing community—one that honors human dignity, sustains the natural world, and prepares us to live responsibly with one another in a complex and polarized society?
Speaker: Dr. Amy Donahue, Response: Dr. Yurie Hong
10:30 a.m. | Faith
How might the Lutheran spirit of radical inquiry and intellectual humility shape the future of liberal arts education at Gustavus amid growing complexity and moral urgency, while fostering meaningful dialogue across multifaith, interfaith, and secular perspectives?
Speaker: Reverend Lamont Wells, Response: Dr. Jon Gill
Featured Student Performance — Zoom In Zoom Out
Zoom In Zoom Out asks us to consider the prospect of seeking and building hope and community, forged amongst the ruins of isolation and despair. The dance earned the “Gala selection” by adjudicators and “People’s Choice” awards at the 2026 North Central Regional American College Dance Association Conference. The piece is choreographed by Sarah Hauss, Department of Theatre and Dance, with contributions from the cast from the 2025 Gustavus dance concert, Wintering.
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