02/28/2022
On Feb. 25, Reinhardt University celebrated the inauguration of Mark A. Roberts, Ph.D., as the 21st president.
Family, friends, faculty, the Board of Trustees, and many more were present to celebrate the new position of the former vice president for academic affairs, dean of the faculty, provost, executive vice president, and interim president.
Looking at the positions Roberts has already held at Reinhardt in his nine years, the former educator’s commitment is clear. When named president in April 2021, Ken White, chairperson of Reinhardt’s board of trustees, stated that Roberts “will uphold the values of Reinhardt and who, with great care, will impact the lives of our students and the entire Reinhardt community.”
As executive vice president and interim president, the newly inaugurated leader has guided Reinhardt through immense challenges over the last two years. Roberts’ twenty-five years of experience in higher education and training in leadership made him the right candidate to take over the executive role during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic after the attention-grabbing resignation of former president Kina Mallard.
More than half a dozen people praised the new head of Reinhardt. Faculty, officials, student representatives, and friends entertained guests with heartfelt, personal, and work-related stories acknowledging his outstanding qualities. Roberts’ brother-in-law talked about their first deep conversation about mosh-pits, and a former English professor who worked under Roberts in Virginia spoke about his incredibly sympathetic and accepting personality.
After his swearing-in, Roberts gave a speech about what it takes to make Reinhardt University a strong and successful institution. He concluded his speech with recognition and praise of everyone who supported him, highlighting the love of his first grandchild.
Post-ceremony highlights included a buffet at the Ken White Atrium in FPAC, featuring hors d’oeuvres and desserts.
Congratulations, President Roberts!
