April 15, 2026
Linda Blaser
President Michael J. Sosulski inaugurated as College’s fifteenth president
Lake Forest College celebrated the installation of President Michael J. Sosulski, PhD, as its fifteenth president during a two-day Inauguration celebration held April 9 and 10, 2026, marking the beginning of a new era for the 169-year-old College.
Nearly 400 faculty, staff, students, members of the Board of Trustees, delegates from colleges and universities, alumni, State Senator Julie Morrison, officials from the City of Lake Forest, and friends of the College attended the installation ceremony held at 3 p.m. on April 10 in the Sports and Recreation Center.
Led by bagpipers, the procession began with Faculty Marshal and Professor of French Cynthia Hahn, who carried the College Mace, followed by student delegates, staff delegates, college and university delegates, faculty delegates, the Board of Trustees and past Presidents David Spadafora and Stephen Schutt, former Interim President Robert Krebs, and Sosulski.
In his opening remarks, Chairman of the Board of Trustees William Lowry ’84 noted that since its founding in 1857, Lake Forest College “has been guided by a clear and enduring purpose: to educate students for lives of purpose, service, and achievement. Today, we gather not only to celebrate that tradition, but to affirm our commitment to its future.”
The Charter of the College
As the first symbol of the Office of the President, Secretary of the Board of Trustees Earl Barnes II ’86, P’24 presented Sosulski with the 1857 Charter of Lake Forest College.
“Into your hands, the Board of Trustees confidently places this Charter. We, together with the faculty, staff, students, and alumni, charge that you preserve, protect, and defend the integrity and independent authority that this Charter represents,” Barnes said.
The College Seal
Next, Board of Trustees Vice Chair Marisue Lacher P’22 presented Sosulski with the Seal of the College, which “serves as the embodiment of our ideals: a dedication to free inquiry and the discovery of truth; the advancement of knowledge and culture through the personal growth that accompanies the quest for excellence,” she said.
“We…trust that the words in the seal will serve as guides in shaping your actions and decisions. Et Veritas Liberabit Vos, which means, ‘And the truth shall set you free.’”
The Chain of Office
While Lowry next placed the official Chain of Office on President Sosulski, Barnes said: “The Chain of Office is a formal ceremonial chain worn by college presidents symbolizing leadership and continuity of the institution.” The Chain of Office for Lake Forest College features the College’s Latin motto and is adorned with engraved plates honoring past presidents.
Lowry then said: “By the virtue of the authority of the Lake Forest College Board of Trustees, we commit to your hands the President’s Charge giving you the responsibility of leading this community of distinguished scholars and students in their shared search for knowledge and wisdom, inspiring in all that love of learning that enriches and ennobles the individual. On behalf of the Trustees and members of the Lake Forest College community, we welcome you as the fifteenth President of Lake Forest College. We assure you of our confidence in you and pledge our support to you as you strive to continue the greatness that is this College’s destiny.”
“Let us build a college that prepares students not only for their first jobs, but for their fiftieth year of engaged and responsible citizenship.
Let us be a place where new tools are welcomed but never allowed to eclipse the human spirit.”
— President Michael J. Sosulski
Highlights from the President’s address
- “This day is not about one person; it is rather a celebration of our whole College community and all the great things we will do together over the next decade.”
- “In an age when it can be tempting to retreat into what we already believe, curiosity keeps us open to each other and to the world.”
- “Accountability means we do not look away from the consequences of our choices.”
- “Intellectual inquiry and engagement are the lifeblood of this campus.”
- “We will continue to do what we do best…treat students as emerging adults whose minds and hearts are worth our time and attention.”
- “Our future is bright because of who we choose to be together.”
Watch the complete Inauguration Ceremony!
