Inauguration Of Baird Tipson As 26th President Of Washington College Set For October 22

Chestertown, MD, October 11, 2004 — Washington College's Board of Visitors and Governors announces the Inauguration of Baird Tipson as the 26th President of the College, to be held Friday, October 22, at 3 p.m. on the College Green. Delegates from more than 90 colleges and universities across the country will be on hand for the installation ceremonies. The public is invited to attend the Inauguration and a fireworks display on Kibler Field at 6:30 p.m. that will conclude the day's celebrations.

“Baird takes the reigns at an extraordinary time in our institution's history,” said Jay Griswold, Chairman of the College's Board of Visitors and Governors. “We've made great strides during the past decade—financially and academically—and we have every trust in Baird's resourcefulness and vision to bring a keener focus on the our strengths as a historic college of liberal arts and sciences and to enhance our position in today's competitive higher education market.”

Tipson, the former president of Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio, succeeds John S. Toll, who stepped down as president of the 222-year-old college last summer. During his eight years as president of Wittenberg, Tipson is credited with ushering in new academic programs and endowed chairs, integrating information technology into the college classroom, doubling the institution's endowment, enhancing campus facilities, and building strong community relations. Prior to assuming the presidency of Wittenberg in 1995, Tipson served as Provost (1987-1995) and Acting President (1988) of Gettsyburg College and Associate Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Central Michigan University for nine years. Throughout his career in college administration, Tipson has remained active in teaching and academic research as a professor of religion focusing on Puritanism, Pietism and Early English Protestantism.

Tipson earned his Ph.D. in religious studies at Yale University and as an undergraduate majored in religion and history at Princeton University, graduating summa cum laude as a member of Phi Beta Kappa.

Tipson and his wife, Sarah, have two grown children.

“I am honored to be entrusted with the leadership of Washington College and look forward to working with the Board, faculty, staff, students, and alumni,” Tipson said. “Here there is a historical legacy of which to be proud, a unique location on the Chesapeake Bay unmatched by any other college, and a long and distinctive liberal arts tradition on which to build. I am both awed and energized by the responsibilities and the opportunities that Washington College is giving me through this position.”