Inaugurations

Address titles/themes

Jonathan Blanchard - 1860
[no known inauguration]

Charles A. Blanchard - 1882
[no known inauguration]

J. Oliver Buswell - 1926
"A Christian College" – need for distinctively Christian education
"We must courageously walk in the light which we have, and confidently affirm the same."

V. Raymond Edman - 1941 "For Christ and His Kingdom"

"In such an hour of uncertainty, we do well before moving forward to adopt the custom of the sea, namely, to check on our chart, our compass, our equipment, our supplies, our guiding stars, to see whether or not we are on our course."

Hudson T. Armerding - 1965 "Entrusted with a Vision" – reaffirmation of fidelity to historic faith

"Christian theism is the philosophical system which enables us to approach the data of exacting scholarship and identify that which is not only true but also important and meaningful."

J. Richard Chase - 1982 "Freedom for Excellence" – balancing governance and administration

"Inaugural addresses are ceremonial in nature. One must paint with a broad stroke in attacking ignorance, addressing society's ills, praising excellence, complimenting all segments of the academic community, while committing one's self to heroic fund-raising efforts, compassionate leadership, and, for a Christian institution, biblical fidelity….I intend to stretch the limits of ceremony on this occasion. I do have something to say."

A. Duane Litfin - 1993

[no title] – The barbarians(pluralism/relativism) are at the gates (C.F.H. Henry)
"First, the barbarians are coming; in fact, they are already within the gates. Second, Jesus also is coming, which is the blessed hope of the Christian. And third, the church, unfortunately, often does not know whether it's coming or going."

Philip G. Ryken - 2010 "A World Servant in Christian Liberal Arts Education"

"Frederick Buechner has written, "The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world's deep hunger meet." What is the place where your gladness and the world's hunger meet? For me that place is back home at Wheaton College, where we find our deepest joy in serving the Christ who alone can satisfy the hungry soul."