Dr. Richard Plumb inaugurated as Saint Michael’s College’s 18th President

Leaders of the Saint Michael’s College Board of Trustees officially bestowed the title of President of the College to Richard Plumb, Ph.D., during the Inauguration Ceremony for the College’s 18th President. 

Plumb, who officially began serving as President in January, accepted the title and symbols of the office before a large crowd in the McCarthy Arts Center Recital Hall on Saturday, Oct. 26. The hall was filled with Saint Michael’s College students, faculty, staff, alumni, other Board members, and delegates representing other colleges.   

Saint Michael’s College President Richard Plumb is officially bestowed the title of president by Board of Trustees Chair Rob Noonan, left, and former Chair Pat Casey during Plumb’s Inauguration Ceremony on Oct. 26, 2024. (Photo by Steve Mease)

Approximately 30 students carried flags for the countries and honor societies represented at the College as part of a procession leading into McCarthy Recital Hall. Dozens of faculty members and members of the Board of Trustees joined the procession, dressed in academic regalia. 

Even though Plumb has been on the job for 10 months, the Presidential Inauguration has been a traditional way for community members to welcome past presidents and allow new presidents to share their thoughts about the state of the College and look toward the future.  

“Saint Michael’s embodies the kind of transformative education that shapes not only careers but lives,” Plumb said during his Inauguration remarks. “The College’s mission, grounded in a deep sense of purpose, mirrors the experiences that have brought me to this point. As we move forward, I am inspired by our unwavering commitment to intellectual curiosity, ethical leadership, and service to others. This community is more than a campus—it is a beacon of hope, where dreams take root and grow.”  

Saint Michael’s students carry flags of countries and honor societies representative of the College community in the procession to the Inauguration ceremony of President Richard Plumb on Oct. 26, 2024. (Photo by Steve Mease)

Highlights from President Plumb’s Inaugural Remarks 

During his speech, Plumb shared that early struggles with dyslexia and a passion for sports influenced his academic journey. It wasn’t until his first morning at Syracuse University as an undergraduate that he found understanding and belonging thanks to a leader in the University’s College of Engineering. This, he recalled, was a turning point for him.   

“I shared my story—that I liked math and science, loved rowing, and wanted to study engineering but had been told I was not smart enough,” Plumb recalled in his remarks. “We talked for about ten minutes, and at the end of our conversation, he asked me to walk with him to his office. That gentleman was Dr. Richard Gildersleeve, the associate dean of the College of Engineering, and he transferred me into the engineering program that morning.”  

Saint Michael’s College President Richard Plumb delivers his Inaugural Address during the Inauguration ceremony of the College’s 18th President on Oct. 26, 2024. (Photo by Steve Mease)

Plumb went on to become the first person in his family to obtain a college degree.  

“Four years later, I graduated at the top of my class, and today, 46 years later, I stand before you as the 18th president of Saint Michael’s College,” Plumb said. Plumb also received a master’s degree and Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Syracuse University before entering academia professionally.   

As President of Saint Michael’s College, Plumb says his goal is to honor the 120-year history of the College while boldly embracing the future.   

“Here, knowledge meets compassion,” Plumb said. “Here, faith informs action. Here, individuals discover their purpose in service to the common good.”  

He added, “As we look across our campus today, we see the fruits of that vision—a vibrant academic community where we prepare students for lives of meaning, faith, and service. We also witness the pioneering spirit that brought our Edmundite founders here—the courage to imagine something new and the resolve to make it happen.”  

Challenges abound in the world of higher education, Plumb said. But, he sees a way forward for Saint Michael’s.  

“We will innovate and collaborate to better serve our students,” Plumb said. “We will cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset—one of adaptability, resourcefulness, and resilience. Together, we will reorganize the College, embrace technology, and reengage with our local and state communities.  

“We have a window of opportunity before us. It is time to seize this moment, to be bold, and to position Saint Michael’s College for a bright and thriving future.”  

See a photo gallery below of the entire Inauguration weekend. (Photos by Steve Mease.)

Community members welcome President Plumb

Representatives of the student body, faculty, staff, alumni, Society of Saint Edmund, Board of Trustees, Vermont Colleges and Universities, and the State of Vermont spoke during the Inauguration Ceremony to officially welcome Plumb and share hopes for his presidency.  

“We are excited for the new vision that President Plumb is bringing to our college, with a renewed sense of purpose and action to take our community forward,” said Lauren Read, an employee of the Marketing and Communications Department and co-chair of the Staff Welfare Committee. “President Plumb’s transparency, forthrightness and decisiveness galvanize others into positive action. We look forward to further collaborative efforts as his plan for the College’s future is unveiled and we focus on moving into the future together.”  

Lindsay Kurrle ’93, Secretary of Vermont’s Agency of Commerce and Community Development, congratulates Saint Michael’s College President Richard Plumb on behalf of the State of Vermont during his Inauguration ceremony on Oct. 26, 2024. (Photo by Steve Mease)

Lindsay Kurrle ’93, the Secretary of the Agency of Commerce and Community Development for the State of Vermont, represented the state as she shared remarks at the Inauguration Ceremony. She said that Saint Michael’s College is an excellent partner to the state in its mission to strengthen Vermont’s communities, improve the climate for business, and support workers by helping them build skills.  

“As you know, Vermont needs and wants more graduates to stay after they receive their degree,” Kurrle said. “This institution prepares tomorrow’s employees, entrepreneurs, and leaders by providing them with a well-rounded education and marketable skills that increase their wage-earning potential. Our Vermont businesses can put this young talent to work right away.”    

Patricia Prelock, Interim President of the University of Vermont, spoke on behalf of Vermont’s colleges and universities. She expressed that Saint Michael’s College has long been an essential part of the higher education landscape in Vermont, and said she was confident that Plumb would embrace the challenges and opportunities that come with being president of a college.   

“A strong Saint Michael’s College is good for the people of Saint Michael’s, of course, but a strong Saint Michael’s College is good for Vermont,” Prelock said. “Mission-driven institutions that value our ability to change the lives of students as we help them prepare to change the world for the better is so critical to higher education.”  

Watch a video recap of the day by Patrick Bohan.

Patrick Fitzgibbons ’89, President of the College’s Alumni Board of Directors, said that recent efforts by Plumb and his wife to connect with the student body reminded him of similar efforts by past presidents – including during his own time as a student. The Plumbs recently hosted several pasta-making nights at Reiss House, the presidential house on campus named for former President Paul Reiss, who passed away this year.  

“President Plumb, something you might not know, is that President Reiss and his family also hosted students – including me – at the President’s home for big dishes of Papa Frank’s pasta or Peking Duck House egg rolls,” Fitzgibbons said. “I know that many of us were very moved to see that you and Mary are continuing that tradition.”  

He added, “President Plumb, all of us on our Alumni Board stand together with you as we look to move Saint Michael’s College forward with optimism, energy, and love of the place that we all refer to without irony or hesitation as our ‘home.’” 

Other highlights of Inauguration weekend

The evening before the Inauguration ceremony, Plumb’s son Sean Michael Plumb led an opera recital in the Recital Hall. Sean Michael Plumb has performed internationally and is an award-winning baritone – including being honored by President Barack Obama as a U.S. Presidential Scholar in the Arts. Sean Michael Plumb was joined by fellow vocalist Yunga Webb, who works in the Saint Michael’s Human Resources Department, and pianist Dr. Samantha Angstman.  

The three performers presented songs from both classical and more modern genres. They received a standing ovation at the end of their performance from a packed Recital Hall.  

Baritone Sean Michael Plumb is accompanied by Dr. Samantha Angstman on the piano during an opera recital on Oct. 25, 2024, during Inauguration weekend.

Students also further joined the festivities with a bonfire and music following the Inauguration ceremony. The Bonfire Knight took place on the 300’s field, with Saint Michael’s Fire and Rescue standing by to ensure safety. Attendees enjoyed free s’mores, popcorn, and fries thanks to several food trucks brought to campus by the Student Government Association.

More information about the Inauguration of Saint Michael’s College’s 18th President can be found here.>>