Inauguration Speech

Christy L. Brown, JD

Ninth President of Alverno College

May 3, 2024

Good morning!

There is something undeniably powerful about Lifting Every Voice. There is a something undeniably promising about A New Day Begun. There is something undeniably resilient and prescient about Marching On 'Til Victory Is Won.

Thank you, Milwaukee Rufus King International High School Chorus, and to the Alverno College Choir, and their directors, for the wonderful message blessing of song.

Thank you to the inauguration committee, and our guests and friends on the stage — you have done Alverno College proud! She is shining ever more brightly today because of your efforts.

Thank you to all of you who have chosen to spend some time on this May morning, celebrating with us, the beloved community that is called Alverno College.

To all who are assembled here, our esteemed guests, including my family and friends, our committed board of trustees, our distinguished faculty, our dedicated staff, and our beloved students: I want to say thank you. 

Alverno College would not be what we are without you: a small, liberal arts, women’s undergraduate college and coed graduate institution — ranked highly, consistently, by the U.S. News and World Report and others:

#2 in innovation, because of our Abilities-based curriculum (celebrating its 50th anniversary) and our feedback and assessment teaching and learning approach;

#2 in commitment to teaching, because of our outstanding faculty who provide a transformational learning experience for our students; and

#4 in diversity, because of our mission to serve the under-served in our community. We are designated as a Hispanic Serving Institution and a Minority Serving Institution, with BIPOC enrollment representing the majority of our students, first generation students representing over 60% of our students, and 62% of our students are Pell Grant recipients.

To the pioneering and courageous School Sisters of Saint Francis, I want to say thank you. The visionary School Sisters began Alverno College in 1887, and in 2024, their legacy continues. You heard from board trustee, Cecelia Gore, the legendary phrase from co-founder, Mother Alexia Hoell: “Impossible is a word which I will change to 'we do not know.'” The School Sisters molded us into who we are:

A Catholic, Franciscan institution, a place where all belong;

A place imbued with the Franciscan values of social justice, equity, peace, inclusivity, and respect for all of God’s creation;

A place rooted in the Catholic tradition of fostering leadership and service in the community.

As I stand before you today, I am filled with gratitude and a profound sense of hope and determination. This moment not only marks the inauguration of a new president — it marks a pivotal moment in the story of Alverno College.

While there are challenges that have existed and continue to loom before us, and all of the higher education industry, I firmly believe that within these trials lie the seeds of renewal and rebirth.

I believe we must embrace our ability to imagine our brighter future, our ability to innovate to achieve our goals, and our ability to inspire our greater community.

I believe we can move emboldened into the future if we imagine an Alverno College where the legacy of our pioneering founders is buoyed by our unique approach to learning using a refreshed framework for the 8 Abilities, and where our diverse community of students gain the skills, knowledge and values needed for today. In the spirit of our founders, our students will be exemplars of servant leaders in the classroom, operating room, boardroom, or whichever room they desire.

I believe we can move impassioned into the future if we innovate to convert what we imagine into a reality. It is abundantly clear that we must change and evolve to meet the current challenges we face — challenges that are not unique to Alverno. The higher education industry and Alverno are facing multiple headwinds, including structural deficits, declining enrollments, negative perceptions of value and a faulty business model, to name a few. And those headwinds are growing ever stronger. To combat those headwinds, we must confront established traditions and dated practices, and we must invest resources in new ideas for growth while maintaining a quality educational program.

We must harness the power of technology to enhance the learning experience, empower our faculty, and equip our students with the skills they need to thrive in an ever-changing world.

I believe that we can move distinctively into the future if we inspire the College constituents and our greater community. As Alverno is inspired through our Franciscan values and by our legacy of creating a transformative educational experience, so can we inspire others. Let me share a few inspiring stories of our students who demonstrate the spirit that defines Alverno College:

Michal is a senior majoring in biomedical sciences with aspirations of becoming a medical professional. Michal's journey is a testament to the transformative power of education. As an immigrant from Pakistan, Michal faced formidable societal barriers that could have hindered her dreams. In her home country, opportunities for girls were scarce, and education was often out of reach. Yet, Michal's family believed in the power of education and made the courageous decision to immigrate to the United States, seeking both educational opportunities and access to healthcare for their family.

Michal chose Alverno College because of its empowering and supportive environment for women. Despite initial insecurities about her accent and shyness, Michal flourished, embodying the college's values of empowerment and inclusivity. Michal's dedication to scientific inquiry is matched only by her commitment to pursue and serve in health care due to observing a lack of equity and access for underrepresented and underserved communities.

Jasmine is a first-year student at Alverno College, whose story exemplifies the resilience and determination that define our community. Jasmine's journey is one of courage and commitment to social justice. Growing up in a community where voices like hers are often silenced, Jasmine has seen firsthand the injustices perpetuated by an unjust system. Despite facing obstacles, Jasmine's resolve to be a voice for her community remains steadfast.

Her dream is not only to bring justice to those wrongly convicted, but also to empower young Hispanic women to defy stereotypes and become leaders in their own right. Jasmine's decision to choose Alverno was driven by her desire for a supportive community and one-on-one guidance. Here, she found not only a place to grow academically, but also a community that embraced her for who she is. Today, Jasmine is a testament to the belief in the potential of every individual and reminds us of the importance of perseverance, compassion, and the pursuit of justice.

We are all inspired by the stories of Alverno College students. And those students become alumnae — over 1,100 of whom are employed at the top companies in the Milwaukee area.

While we are inspired by their stories, and while we imagine the Alverno College of the future, we understand the difficult terrain ahead and we are not deterred. Rather, we are filled with the urge to change the terrain and to create new paths.

I want to share with you an opportunity that helps us forge a new path. It is an opportunity prompted by a deep faith in Alverno, and a deep belief in our ability to imagine, innovate and inspire — a belief in the rallying cry, “Impossible is a word we do not know!”

A group of donors have pledged an anonymous gift of $1.5 million, with the challenge for other supporters to match the gift by the end of the year! This generous contribution is a symbol of confidence in our mission and in our endeavor to serve not just our current students but to serve those future generations of students. And we know that generous gift is only the beginning — this $1.5 million can grow to $3 million or $6 million with support from our community.

This is a call to action to all who know, love or have been impacted and touched by Alverno. This is a call to action to create a bright future for Alverno College.

Alverno is at the heart of who we are in Milwaukee: diverse, resilient achievers. Alverno is deeply involved in the community of Milwaukee and cares about the community’s success. Alverno’s graduates contribute greatly to the business environment and to the economy of Milwaukee.

We hope you, too, are moved by the mission and have a desire to support Alverno on its journey toward renewal and growth. Please consider a gift of your time, your talent, or your treasure.

This moment in time is extraordinary and Alverno is made for this moment. I am honored to be here and looking forward to working with you to imagine, innovate and inspire a future that our founders envisioned and that our students, current and future, deserve.

May God bless Alverno College and all who call it home. Let us move forward together, united in our commitment to and for Alverno College.

Thank you.