(Seguin) — History was in the making this weekend as the TLU and Seguin communities joined together for the Presidential Inauguration of President Dr. Debbie Cottrell.
Dr. Cottrell took part in the official installation ceremony held Saturday in the Jackson Auditorium at the Weston Center. Dr. Cottrell took over the reigns of former President Dr. Stuart Dorsey who retired at the end of the spring semester. Prior to becoming president, Dr. Cottrell served as TLU’s vice president for academic affairs.
Dr. Cottrell, who comes on board as the university’s 16th president, says presidential inaugurals typically don’t come around often making this time a great opportunity to pause and celebrate those things that make Texas Lutheran University so wonderful.
Dr. Cottrell, who hit the ground running over the summer, says the transition to presidency was made easy thanks to the dedication of the TLU community.
“When I think about the community here, the people I’m working with whether it’s vice presidents or whether it’s people that work in facilities or whether it’s our students whoever it might be, I’m very fortunate because this is a community and it’s a community that I know well from having been here and I feel great support in what I’m doing. Anytime, you are in a leadership role having support is critical and I feel it. Now, that doesn’t mean it is not challenging. It doesn’t mean we don’t have hard work to do but I know this is a place that has people and I would say this extends into the Seguin community that wants to see TLU be successful. This is a place that wants to be good and strong and viable long into the future so my job is to capture that, to build on that, to lead with that in mind, said Dr. Cottrell.
Dr. Cottrell says a “key part” of her new role as president is her engagement with the Seguin community. She says when you partner together, success comes easy.
“When you have the honor of serving as the president of a university and in a place like Seguin, I think it’s just part of the opportunity to connect with the community. I want people to know TLU and the way that you know this university is through the people who are here and there are many people at TLU who have long and deep connections to Seguin but in this role, my opportunity is to learn and get to understand the issues in the community, to work with individuals, to use my position to help both TLU and Seguin. So, I think for me, I just see it as a great opportunity. Also, it’s a pleasure. I mean people are warm and welcoming and supporting in the community as well. you know I always say ‘TLU needs Seguin and Seguin needs TLU’ and so leveraging that, thinking about that, looking for new ways to build on what I believe has been a strong arrangement and relationship. I just think there’s all kinds of exciting things to think about in the future,” said Dr. Cottrell.
She especially invites individuals, families and even business partners to become part of the Bulldog family. She says TLU wants to give community members all sorts of reasons to come on campus.
“No matter what your interests are, no matter how long you have been in Seguin no matter what your age is, your background, there is something going on at TLU that will be of interest to you whether it’s a cultural event, something in Jackson Auditorium whether it’s a musical event — we have those throughout the year — an athletics event whatever it might be, I think there is so much that goes on here and we want the community to know about that and most importantly, we want them to feel welcome. We want them to feel that they can come to these events that these things are offered, yes for our students but also for the Seguin community and the more support and participation we have, the better that is. That just means that what we are doing is being shared by more people and it should be an advantage to Seguin to have TLU here. That should be true everyday and so I think these events are great way for people to connect. Also, the other piece of that is people connect through individual relationships. So even if you are not coming to an event but you know someone here and have an idea or an interest or something, I encourage people to use that friendship, have that conversation, come to campus, talk to us and let us know what is on your mind because I think that’s our responsibility in being a good community partner which is what we want to be,” said Dr. Cottrell.
During her years at TLU, Dr. Cottrell is credited with the” development of new performing arts facilities , the addition of four graduate programs as well as the Nursing program.” Included in that list is a sponsored research program that resulted in external gifts which totaled approximately $2 million a year.
Dr. Cottrell says her focus moving forward will be to always operate under the traditions that have proven true and that are deeply rooted in the TLU community.
“In terms of the future, I would say there is a lot that we are working on and TLU will always hold fast and firm to its faith, its traditions, what it’s been but we will do some new things too and we will be looking to grow. We will be looking to offer different kinds of programs. We will always be thinking about how we can serve our students in the best way possible but this is going to be an exciting time at TLU and I’m very fortunate to be in this role and to have the opportunity to lead us. So, I just say keep an eye on us and come be part of the community,” said Dr. Cottrell.
Saturday’s inauguration wrapped up three days of special events marking Dr. Cottrell’s leadership. Events included a welcoming community reception hosted by the Seguin Area Chamber of Commerce and an academic panel bringing together some of Dr. Cottrell’s fellow colleagues and a musical celebration.