"The truth shall set us free," was the message from Dr. Ajay Nair on Oct. 13, as hundreds of students, staff, faculty, alumni, trustees, families, friends, and community members ushered in a new era at Arcadia University with his inauguration as 22nd president.

Selecting "Reimagining Our Higher Education Community: From Inclusion to Justice" as the inauguration theme, President Nair highlighted the challenges facing liberal arts education. Calling for the end to an exceptionalist mentality, he declared how a "war on humanity" has created a mistrust of colleges and universities. However, President Nair also called for lasting solutions: challenging students to be better; meeting educational needs of all students, not just a select few; and redefining what higher education means within American societies.

"In the role of president, I am privileged to serve my community by working to transform the higher education landscape through truth, justice, and liberation," said President Nair. "We need leaders that are committed to justice; leaders that can problem solve and think critically; leaders that are thoughtful and imaginative in their approach; and leaders that seek the truth. We are about to embark on a journey that will pave the way for others and change the landscape of higher education and the world around us."

The University community, along with representatives from more than 50 institutions of higher education and governing bodies across the nation, came together to celebrate the beginning of a new chapter in Arcadia's 165-year history—one that President Nair envisions as a model for other institutions hoping to merge justice and education.

Alison (Aaron) Madsen, Esq. chair of the Board of Trustees at Arcadia, led the transferal of office with President Emerita Dr. Bette E. Landman (president, 1985-2004) and former president Dr. Jerry Greiner(president, 2004-2011), who presented to Dr. Nair the University's Chain of Office and Charter, respectively. In addition, while closing the ceremony, Madsen announced that a group of Arcadia Trustees has pledged $600,000 in support of Dr. Nair's presidential initiatives.

Also speaking at the ceremony were government and higher education officials from around the region and country, including Pennsylvania State Senator Art Haywood (D-4), Philadelphia Councilmember At-Large Helen Gym, and Chair of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners Dr. Valerie Arkoosh.

Krishna and Rani Nair, children of President Nair and his wife, Paayal Nair, shared loving tributes to their father. An original rap song by Krishna, "Utopia," played before Rani spoke, highlighted his father's journey to becoming president of Arcadia. Rani had many of the event's most memorable lines, detailing humorous moments President Nair has used as lessons for her and Krishna, and about what it means to minority children to have a role model like him.

"If you talked to my dad about his aspirations as a young person, he will tell you he was convinced that he could grow up to be a superhero," said Rani. "Well, dad, you did it– you're my superhero and a superhero to so many others."

The weeklong Inauguration celebration began on Oct. 8 and including LGBTQ allies training, a community service day, a lecture by Sister Helen Prejean, author of Dead Man Walking: An Eyewitness Account of the Death Penalty in the United States, and a presidential panel on Friday with Dr. Parham; Dr. Karen Stout, president of nonprofit Achieving the Dream, Inc., and former president of Montgomery County Community College; and Dr. Nair.