Dr. Rosemary Allen Inaugurated as First Female President
Submitted on October 3, 2022
Board of Trustees members Michelle Pedigo and Granetta Blevins place the Presidential Chain of Office on President Rosemary A. Allen.
Hundreds of people filed into John L. Hill Chapel on Friday, September 30 to witness an historic inauguration. Dr. Rosemary Allen was inaugurated as the 26th president of Georgetown College, the first woman to serve as president of the College in its 193-year history. Students, faculty, alumni, and community leaders from across the Commonwealth welcomed Dr. Allen, including Governor Andy Beshear.
Dr. Allen has served at Georgetown College for more than 38 years, spending her first 20 years as a member of the English faculty. In 2004, she became the first woman to serve in the role of Chief Academic Officer when she was named Provost. In that role, she administered all functions of the academic program and served as the College’s liaison with its accreditor, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
“I believe in the mission of Georgetown College and it has always felt like home to me,” said Dr. Allen. “We have a strong administrative team here, and I believe the College is destined for a bright future. I am excited to see what we will accomplish together.”
The ceremony capped off a week of inauguration festivities, including an art exhibition focused on the women of Georgetown College, a community celebration hosted by Country Boy Brewing, a special chapel service with Rev. Molly Shoulta Tucker, and a tree dedication for Dr. Allen’s inauguration on the Giddings lawn.
Speakers included Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear; OJ Oleka, President of the Association of Independent Kentucky Colleges and Universities; Alumni Board Chair Alan Redditt; John Travis of the First Baptist Church Maddoxtown; Board of Trustees Chair Robert L. Mills; Faculty Chair Cliff Wargelin; and Student Government Association President Riley Davis.
Governor Beshear is hopeful about the future of the Commonwealth, saying “Right now, I believe we are at an inflection point and an historic moment in the Commonwealth, one with great promise and potential for prosperity that will reach across Kentucky. And I think a large part of the mission of Georgetown College is educating students and preparing them to be leaders in Kentucky. I want to congratulate President Allen on this historic achievement and I look forward to working together.”
Dr. Allen is a native of Frankenmuth, Michigan, and completed her undergraduate studies as valedictorian in the honors program at Hillsdale College, with majors in English and history. She was recognized by her alma mater in 2011 with its Excellence in Education Award. She holds M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in English literature from Vanderbilt University, with a specialization in Renaissance drama. Dr. Allen resides in Georgetown with her husband, Dr. Todd Coke, Professor Emeritus of English at Georgetown College.
To view the inauguration ceremony in its entirety, visit our YouTube channel here.
