Presidential Inauguration
August 14, 2023
Join us for a week of activities to celebrate the Inauguration of Christopher Newport's 6th President, William G. Kelly, and start the 2023-24 academic year.
Schedule of Events
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Symphony Under the Stars
The Virginia Symphony will perform a magical concert under the stars on the Great Lawn. Bring your family, friends, blankets and coolers and enjoy a fabulous evening of music. Free and open to the public. Food trucks will be onsite and food is available for purchase!
Attendees are encouraged to bring canned/nonperishable food items to support the Virginia Peninsula Foodbank.
Rain location: Diamonstein Concert Hall
Inauguration Ceremony
The Board of Visitors is delighted to invite the Christopher Newport community of faculty, staff, students, alumni, parents, friends and honored delegation representatives to the inauguration and investiture for Christopher Newport's sixth President, William G. Kelly.
Rain location: Diamonstein Concert Hall
Faculty Receptions
President and Mrs. Kelly are delighted to host and welcome the faculty of Christopher Newport University to the start of the new academic year.
Day One of Service
Students, faculty and staff will travel off campus to spend their day serving at over service sites across the city. Alumni and friends of Christopher Newport are encouraged to continue their commitment to public service and participate in a day of service in their own communities.
Open to the campus community only. Faculty and staff who participate must register in advance.
Community of Scholars Convocation
An event to formally welcome all incoming first year and transfer students into the Christopher Newport Community. All students sign the honor code witnessed by faculty, staff and alumni of the university and receive their lucky penny. President Kelly will also take part in this tradition for his formal induction into our community of honor.
Welcome Picnic
A festive welcome picnic open to all faculty, staff and incoming students. All incoming students, new faculty and staff, and this year, our new President, will ring the bell to publicly signify joining the Christopher Newport community.
Alana Springsteen Concert
Singer-songwriter Alana Springsteen is a force-of-nature talent with the passion to match. After learning to play guitar at the young age of seven, the Virginia Beach native began penning her own songs at nine, and soon started trekking to Nashville to co-write with industry heavyweights.
Free, ticketed event. 1 ticket per student or 2 tickets per faculty/staff member with valid CNU ID.
Student Block Party
The student body welcomes President and Mrs. Kelly to a festive and fun block party with delicious treats, inflatables, games, activities and music.
Rain location: Freeman Center Field House
Light the Night
Join us for a kickoff to fall semester presented by the Student Government Association with special guest speakers and co-sponsors.
Rain location: Freeman Center Field House