Inauguration Events

The Elma Lewis Center presented a multimedia pilot inaugural exhibition of family archives as well as live interviews, music recording sessions, dance performances, and original art from more than 150 Roxbury- and Boston-area luminaries from the past two centuries.

The Southwick Recital featured staged readings of prose, poetry, and dramatic monologue. It both honored the tradition and embraced the future of oral communication through literature.

“With Love, from the Margins” was an experiential college-pathway gallery affirming our students’ right to exist, resisting systemic erasure, and reimagining a culture where all have access to higher education. The gallery featured work by students with the Emerson Prison Initiative and our free college-access programs, EmersonWRITES and EmersonTHEATRE.

The Gender-Affirming Voice and Communication Program is housed in the Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) Department. This panel discussed the inception of the program and its impact on the trans/non-binary and Emerson communities, as well as our CSD graduate students.

Hosted by the EPI, this panel discussed the many positive impacts of expanding access to an Emersonian education to people incarcerated in Massachusetts.

This year's program started with a showcase of short work from alums the Daniels, Nathaniel Hansen, Mari Walker, and Georden West, followed by a 90-minute program of an array of stellar films made by students in the last two years. There was a brief moderated conversation with filmmakers following the screening. A reception took place in the Jackie Liebergott Black Box and included a photo exhibition from Arthur Li and a video installation from Asma Khoshmehr as well as the winners of the Audience, Best of Fest, Singular Vision, and Outstanding Technical Achievement awards.

• Swingers by Daniel Scheinert ’09 and Daniel Kwan ’10
• Pat by Nathaniel Hansen, MFA ’13
• Swim by Mari Walker ’08
• Patron Saint by Georden West, MFA ’18
• Lone Star by Sadie Sweitzer ’25
• Robin by Tris Arthur ’23
• Graysen’s Room by Lida Everhart ’24
• Still Waters by Steven Fong, MFA ’23
• Tarántula by Tomas Orrego, MFA ’24
• Call Home by Elise Cohen, MFA ’23
• The Silent Whistle by Yingtong Li, MFA ’22
• Freddie by Maya Chang ’23
• Nalb Noum by Xzaviah J. Stone Sr., MFA ’23

The Elma Lewis Center presented a multimedia pilot inaugural exhibition of family archives as well as live interviews, music recording sessions, dance performances, and original art from more than 150 Roxbury- and Boston-area luminaries from the past two centuries.

This panel discussed the possibilities, opportunities, and challenges related to the use of AI in storytelling through communication and the arts.

Hosted by ArtsEmerson and HowlRound, this panel explored Emerson programs that use performance as a tool to inspire conversation and change and to build community.

Emerson College is one of the few schools that supports a full analog and 16mm filmmaking curriculum. This panel discussion and short film screening featured Emerson staff and faculty members who engage in the highly specialized process of analog filmmaking.

A stand-up comedy showcase featured sets from alumni Gabe Gibbs '14, Julie Goldman '94, Eddie Brill '80, Jamie Loftus '14 and Breanna Nesbith '23; current students Jack Reisman '25, Saskia Penning '25, and Hannah Loeb '27; with remarks by Trustee Doug Herzog '81, LHD '08; Professor Martie Cook; and President Bernhardt.

At the official Investiture ceremony, Dr. Jay M. Bernhardt was installed as the 13th President of Emerson College.

The community gathered for a celebratory lunch with our new President.