As students, faculty and staff prepare to see the Rev. Dennis Dease enter retirement on June 30, preparations for university president-elect Julie Sullivan’s inaugural ceremonies are set for Thursday, Oct. 17 on the St. Paul campus.

Director of Alumni and Constituent Relations Rachel Wobschall is serving as the chair of the Inaugural Implementation Committee. Wobschall said most details are still in the planning process, but the outlined festivities include a Mass and a luncheon preceding the official installation ceremony.

According to Wobschall, two committees are coordinating the event. The Steering Committee, led by Archbishop Harry Flynn, is comprised mostly of faculty members and is in charge of setting the theme and tone; the Implementation Committee will figure out “nuts and bolts” of putting the celebration together.

Set only one week before midterms, the date was chosen because the Board of Trustees will meet that day, enabling most board members to be present at the celebration.

Wobschall said student roles on Oct. 17 are not yet defined, but they should have opportunities to welcome Sullivan leading up to the date.

Undergraduate Student Government president-elect Jenna Johnson said she is on the Steering Committee for the event and confirmed that student roles will be established, but later in the process.

“From the information I’ve been told, there’s extensive research going on about inauguration ceremonies at other schools and institutions and more faculty and student roles will be decided after that’s been looked at,” Johnson said. “That will probably (occur) later in the summer or in the fall.”

“There are students on both committees … we’re looking for themes and ideas from students on the committees. I fully expect that there will be plenty of student engagement,” Wobschall said. “There may be other types of things when Dr. Sullivan comes to campus. There will be things all along the fall and when she actually arrives.”

Wobschall said both committees must consider special arrangements for the event, especially concerning guests from academic and religious circles.

Still, Wobschall said planning is still in the the fundamental stages, and more concrete details should be established over the summer.

Anastasia Straley can be reached at stra0669@stthomas.edu.