I was honored to assist the Integrated Marketing & Communications Department at Valparaiso University capturing photographs of the Inauguration of José D. Padilla, J.D., Valparaiso’s nineteenth President. His presidency officially began on March 1, 2021, as the culmination of a long and successful career in higher education. He now calls Valparaiso home and gave a wonderful heartfelt and inspiring speech at his inauguration on Saturday, October 30, 2021 at the Valparaiso Chapel on campus to a just about maximum capacity audience of educators, students, residents, and family.
From his speech, “We are on the cusp of a renaissance, on a promise, emboldened by students who will ask the questions what if, why not, and why here, why that, and not dissuaded by those of the cynics who say you can’t, because as Beacons we walk boldly into the valley of darkness, attached at the hip, hands on each other’s backs, and unafraid of change or challenge.” – President José Padilla – Congratulations, Rick Bella for Bella Photography