In September 2023, a new chapter for Dalton State College began with the appointment of John Fuchko III as the college’s sixth president after the retirement of Margaret Venable, who served the prior eight years in the position.
On Friday, April 26, that new chapter is set to be fully signified with an investiture ceremony highlighting Fuchko.
Investiture ceremonies, a longstanding tradition at colleges and universities, are typically held during a president’s first year. During the ceremony, the president addresses his or her vision and goals for the college before receiving the presidential medallion, which represents the official transfer of leadership.
The ceremony will cap off a two-day celebration beginning Thursday, April 25, that will include a free concert in downtown Dalton and an event on campus highlighting the historical significance of the college and the Dalton area.
All events, including the investiture ceremony, are free and open to the public.
Kicking off the festivities that Thursday, Dalton State will hold a celebration of the college’s history and legacy at 3 p.m. at the Burran Bell Tower and quadrangle on campus at 650 College Drive.
Kate Maine, Dalton State’s vice president for marketing, communications and workforce development, said the event will “highlight various aspects of both the community and the college’s history.”
It will include “both the growth and development of Dalton, the growth and development of the floorcovering industry and its impact on the region, and the growth of the Latino community in the area and its impact on the region and on the college,” Maine said. “And then the history of Dalton State College itself.”
Following the event at the bell tower, a community concert will be at 6:30 p.m. at the Burr Performing Arts Park at 101 S. Hamilton St. in downtown Dalton. Country duo Smith & Wesley will perform.
The concert is billed as a casual and family-friendly event, with spectators encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets. Food trucks will be there in addition to the restaurants available throughout downtown.
The presidential investiture ceremony is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. the following Friday inside the college’s Bandy Gymnasium at 661 George Rice Drive. Doors will open at 9:15 a.m.
At 11:30 a.m., the investiture reception will begin with a short walk from the gymnasium to the bell tower, with shuttle services available.
Maine said traditionally investiture ceremonies feature dignitaries from the president’s past and those who are important to the college.
“They will bring brief greetings or salutations and we will have several guests who will be doing that,” she said.
Following the greetings, Maine said Harold Reynolds, the chairman of the University System of Georgia’s Board of Regents, and Sonny Perdue, the system’s chancellor, will speak.
Maine said those planning to attend any of the events should register by visiting www.daltonstate.edu/investiture and clicking on the “brief registration form” link.
Maine said a livestream option will be available for the investiture by visiting Dalton State’s YouTube page.