Christopher M. Fiorentino will be inaugurated as West Chester University’s 15th president during a formal investiture ceremony on Friday, April 21 at 10 AM in the Emilie K. Asplundh Concert Hall.

Wearing full academic regalia, representatives from Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education and universities from throughout Pennsylvania will process into the concert hall. More than 1,000 faculty, students, staff, trustees, alumni, and friends are estimated to attend.

A reception will immediately follow on WCU’s Academic Quad. President Fiorentino is the first president in the university’s history to incorporate hunger relief as part of the inaugural celebration.

In keeping with the university’s commitment to make a difference in the lives of students and surrounding citizens, a pre-inaugural volunteer service effort has already kicked off with a three-week canned food drive to benefit WCU’s new Resource Pantry for students in need and the Chester County Food Bank.

Sixteen bins will be stationed across campus through Monday, April 17 for daily drop-offs and scheduled collections by student teams. The WCU Presidential Inauguration Campus Food Drive is being co-chaired by alum Diana Fiorentino, a retail dietitian and the daughter of President Fiorentino.

The effort is timely as the university enrolls nearly 30 students who are homeless and 10 percent of Chester County residents wrestle with food insecurity. The amount of food collected will be announced during the president’s inaugural address, which will focus on student success in the context of a supportive, inclusive community.

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