Spelman CollegeĀ formally installedĀ Helene D. Gayle, M.D., MPH, as its 11thĀ President at the investiture ceremony held today,Ā April 28, at theĀ Morehouse CollegeĀ Martin Luther King, Jr. International Chapel.
During the ceremony, attended byĀ Spelman’sĀ Board of Trustees, higher education peers, distinguished guests, family and friends, Dr. Gayle was officially bestowed the title of president. The inauguration theme of “Honoring Our Past, Claiming Our Future” paid homage to the great leaders that came before her, as well as her hope and vision for continued success of this storied institution.
During herĀ inaugural address,Ā Dr. Gayle acknowledged and thanked the past fiveĀ SpelmanĀ presidents in attendance, as well as many individuals who have played an important role in her life. During her remarks she reaffirmed her commitment toĀ SpelmanĀ and aspirations for the future
“I am here to honor the vision and mission of the founders,” said Dr. Gayle. “I am here to continue the legacy of all the past presidents who made it possible for me to inherit an institution with few problems and many possibilities. I am here for the same reason this institution has always been here: to ensure there is a special place ā that there will always be a special place ā where a young Black woman with a dream of making the world better will be nurtured and affirmed, educated wholly, and encouraged to be and become her best and authentic self. It is an amazing calling. And I am humbled to accept this mantle of leadership.”
Rosalind Gates Brewer, C’84, chair of the Spelman Board of Trustees and president and CEO of Walgreens Boots Alliance, presided over the investiture ceremony. Guest speakers included:Ā Mary Schmidt Campbell, 10thĀ president ofĀ Spelman College;Ā David A. Thomas, president ofĀ Morehouse College;Ā Sian Beilock, president ofĀ Barnard College;Ā Charlayne Hunter-Gault, American Civil Rights activist and journalist; andĀ Sylvia Mathews Burwell, president ofĀ American University.
Dr. Gayle began serving as the 11thĀ president ofĀ Spelman CollegeĀ onĀ July 1, 2022, following an extensive national search led by the Board of Trustees. She succeeded PresidentĀ Emerita Mary Schmidt Campbell, Ph.D., who served as president from 2015 – 2022.
The four-day line-up of inauguration events began onĀ Thursday, April 27, with an academic symposium, a campus celebration following the investiture on Friday, day of service on Saturday, and will conclude on Sunday with an interfaith service atĀ Spelman’sĀ historic Sisters Chapel, featuring an inaugurationĀ sermon by BishopĀ Michael Curry, Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church.
Dr. Gayle previously served as president and CEO of The Chicago Community Trust, one of the nation’s oldest and largest community foundations, fromĀ October 2017Ā toĀ June 2022. Under her leadership, the Trust adopted a new strategic focus on closing the racial and ethnic wealth gap in theĀ ChicagoĀ region. For almost a decade, she was president and CEO of CARE, a leading international humanitarian organization. A pediatrician and public health physician with expertise in economic development, humanitarian, and health issues, she spent 20 years with the Centers for Disease Control, working primarily on HIV/AIDS. She led the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s programs on HIV/AIDS and other global health issues.
Dr. Gayle serves on public company and nonprofit boards, including The Coca-Cola Company, Organon, Palo Alto Networks, The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Brookings Institution, Center for Strategic and International Studies, New America and the ONE Campaign. She is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, National Academy of Medicine, Council on Foreign Relations, American Public Health Association, National Medical Association, and American Academy of Pediatrics.
Dr. Gayle is fromĀ Buffalo, N.Y.Ā She earned a B.A. in psychology atĀ Barnard College, an M.D. at theĀ University of Pennsylvania, and an M.P.H. atĀ Johns Hopkins University. She is a tenured Full Professor in the Department of Environmental and Health Sciences atĀ Spelman CollegeĀ and has received 18 honorary degrees. She also holds faculty appointments at theĀ University of WashingtonĀ andĀ Emory University.
For more information about the inauguration of Dr.Ā Helene D. Gayle, or to watch the video broadcast, please visitĀ www.spelman.edu/inauguration.