Inauguration recap Miguel Martinez Saenz

A ten days celebration marked the inauguration of Dr. Miguel Martinez-Saez, the 19th President of St. Francis College beginning January 17, 2018 and concluding on the 27th. Events included a Day of Mentorship with Big Brothers Big Sisters of NYC, Cristo Rey Brooklyn High School, NYC Urban Ambassadors, and Kiskeya Sport. In the spirit of hospitality, the students were led by St. Francis College students, administrators and faculty on a rotation of hands-on activities in our Nursing and Science labs, as well as in the HDTV Studio and classrooms. International Flag Day, hosted by Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, featured flags from around the world in what became a public art exhibition just outside Borough Hall, representing the diversity within St. Francis College and the entire Brooklyn community. Inaugural events began with a nod to President Martinez-Saenz’s Cuban-American heritage and the serving of Cubano sandwiches and other cultural foods for lunch and an early dinner to St. Francis College students, staff, and faculty. Hip-hop and spoken word artist Bryonn Bain performed his gripping and provocative show, Lyrics from Lockdown, an emotional journey of music, song, and multimedia that sparked intense reflection and discussion among St. Francis College students, faculty, and administrators. Bain combined cello, bass, beat box and a DJ with video, stunning imagery and the true-life struggles of people wrongfully convicted to shed light on the injustices that still exist in our legal system. Celebrations concluded with an Inaugural Mass held at St. Charles Borromeo Church with The Most Reverend James Massa, Auxiliary Bishop, Diocese of Brooklyn, as the principal celebrant and homilist and then the inauguration ceremony. During his address, President Martinez-Saenz said, “I believe what the world needs now more than ever are living examples of people who strive to live lives of love and service to themselves and to others.” “I believe sincerely and optimistically that St. Francis College can be a living example of what it means to strive to live in a beloved community.” “I can only hope that I will find the courage and the fortitude to do my part to guide us at this point in the College’s history so that we may be beacons of hope for all those that choose to come here and even those beyond.” For photos of the various events, please go to sfc.edu/inauguration.