President Inauguration

Please join us in our week-long celebration of our University,
our supporters, and our community partners.

Women Student Leaders Reception

Time: 12:30 pm - 2:30 pm
Location: Tanglewood- 100 E. Rosedale Ave., West Chester, PA 19383

Join us for an open house lunch celebrating the contributions and leadership of our WCU women student leaders. Come connect, celebrate, and be inspired by the remarkable voices of women leaders across our campus.

Registration is required, and space is limited.

Women of West Chester Reception

Time: 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Location: The West Chester University Foundation Ballrooms

Women of West Chester kick off the week by celebrating President Bernotsky, WCU's 2nd female president. Join the Women’s Commission members, the HERS Women’s Institute, and the 150 Most Influential Women of WCU honorees, and women of the WCU community for hors d'oeuvres, beverages, and great conversation as we start the inaugural week in WCU style. All are welcome to join this celebration.

Registration for the Women of West Chester Reception is now closed.

"Sweet Sixteen" Spirit Day

Time: 11 am – 2 pm
Location:  "Sweet Sixteen" Spirit Day Map

We’re celebrating our 16th President with free sweet treats and Ram Pride all around campus for all students, staff, and faculty!  Wear your purple and gold, try to catch Rammy scooting around campus, and visit the spirit stations for your sweet treats!  

• Sykes Lobby- Pop over to the popcorn stations and caricature artist 
• Outside Campus Store- Stop for a pick-me-up at the Café Gourmino coffee truck
• Shack’s Way- Grab a Crumbl Cookie and drink from the Sipsters truck with different lemonade and festive drinks
• Commons- Get ready for our favorite WCU holiday with banana flavored treats
• Sturzebecker- Grab a Rammy cookie and lavender lemonade before class or practice
• BPMC- Visit the Dia Doce cupcake truck for a WCU flavored cupcake
• Academic Quad- Show your Ram Pride with face painting and grab your free Rams for Life t-shirt at the swag table
• Residential Quad- Scrape and Scoop is dishing out ice cream 
• Help decorate your residence hall lobby for the WCU Ram Pride Decorating Contest 

Little Rams Celebration

Time: 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm
Location: WCU Alumni & Foundation Center, 202 Carter Drive, West Chester, PA
Plenty of free parking!

Join us for this family-friendly event!  Come have dinner with Rammy while enjoying fun crafts, games, and WCU student-led activities. Here’s what to expect:

• WCU student athletes will show-off their skills and teach your little Ram some tricks of the game.
• Craft stations for Little Rams to get creative and make a take-home craft
• Enjoy dinner with Rammy including pizza, chicken fingers, apple slices, and drinks
• Sweet treats including Rammy cookies

Admission: No cost, but registration is required.

Registration for the Little Rams Celebration is now closed.

Rammy’s Suit Up and Stock Up Drive

Time: 11 am - 2 pm
Location: Twardowski Career Development Center

WCU Faculty, Staff, and Student Organizations join Dr. Bernotsky for a friendly, competitive donation drive to benefit WCU students by collecting new or gently used professional clothing for the Career Closet and personal care items (toiletries) for the Resource Pantry. Grab a snack and stay for some connection with your campus friends! Departments or student organizations will earn points for their donations. The group with the most points will win "Lunch with Laurie!"

Points: 20 for each personal care item, 10 points for new professional clothing, 5 points for gently used clothing.

At the same time, students can contribute to the Swipe Out for Hunger Drive, which is happening at tables in the SECC and Sykes.

Alumni & WCU Friends Happy Hour

Time: 5:30 pm-7:30 pm
Location: 9Prime

Join us for an exciting Alumni & WCU Friends Happy Hour as we celebrate the inauguration of West Chester University’s new president, Dr. Laurie Bernotsky! This special event is an opportunity to reconnect with fellow alumni, WCU community, and celebrate this historic moment in the university’s journey.

In addition to celebrating, we’re also hosting a donation drive. Please bring toiletries or new or gently used professional clothing for the WCU Resource Pantry and Career Closet. Your contributions will have a meaningful impact and help students work to achieve their goals.

Don’t miss out—mark your calendars and make this an evening to remember!

Registration is required, and space is limited.

Student Research Poster Session

Time: 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm
Location: First Floor SECC

Learn about Golden Rams’ Research at this poster session showcasing innovative studies across various disciplines. This event offers a platform for students to present their findings, share insights, and engage in discussions with the campus community. Don’t miss the chance to celebrate student research and contribute to an exchange of ideas!

All are welcome to participate no registration required. 

Spotlight on Research: A Celebration of WCU’s Research Contributions to Student Success, Belonging, DEI, and the Community

Time: 4:30 pm -5:30 pm , Reception (buffet), 5:30 pm -6:30 pm
Location: SECC 108

West Chester University’s Spotlight on Research is an opportunity to bring community awareness to the excellence of faculty research at WCU and celebrate our talented and committed faculty and staff with our university and community colleagues.

This year marks the third of a three-year commitment to highlight projects that align with the university’s Moonshot initiative. We are pleased to highlight research whose focus is on making a difference in the following areas:

• Student Success
• Equity
• Inclusion
• Diversity
• Belonging
• Community Engagement

You will view innovative and impactful research this past year through highlighted projects and videos created by the Digital Media Center. At WCU, we understand the impact and value that research and creative activities bring to this campus, allowing for opportunities to engage in high-impact, experiential research.

Registration is appreciated, and space is limited.

Inauguration Ceremony

Time: 11:00 am
Location: Emilie K. Asplundh Concert Hall

All are welcome to join this celebration and registration is appreciated.

Inauguration Reception

Time: Immediately following the ceremony
Location: Hollinger Field House

All are welcome to join this celebration.

Registration is required, and space is limited.

Presidential Gala

Time: 6:30 pm-10:30 pm
Location: Longwood Gardens Conservatory

Celebrate West Chester University President Laurie Bernotsky's inauguration with fine dining and dancing at Longwood Gardens Conservatory. Proceeds support student success and experiential learning opportunities, including unpaid internships, clinical rotations, student-teacher stipends, education abroad, the WCU Resource Pantry, and the Career Closet.

This event is sold out! Thank you for your support.