On Sunday, October 1, Trinity College inaugurated its 18th president, Evan S. Dobelle. It was a beautiful day on Trinity's main quadrangle, where, before a raised platform in front of the Chapel, the majority of the Parent's Weekend crowd and a large group of dignitaries gathered for the ceremonies.
Down the long walk came the Saint Patrick's Pipe Band and the Color Guard of the Governor's Foot Guard leading the honorable delegates and professors of the College. The invocation by John P. Schlegel, S.J. President, University of San Francisco followed, along with coments by Trinity student body President Karim Sadik-Kahn '96. Michael Peters, the Mayor of Hartford, the Faculty of the school, 
and Alumni all spoke of their personal and academic faith in Dobelle's ability to lead Trinity into the 21st century. The president of Yale University, Richard C. Levin, spoke about the past, present and future academic and social relationship between Trinity and his school. Followed by David Warren, the President of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, who commented on the escalating congretional attacks aimed at the realm of academia. He spoke of the growing and frightening difficulties that are imposed on students and professors alike with regards to the economics of higher learning. 
The Trinity concert choir, led by Gerald Moshell, Secretary of Faculty, sang a stirring rendition We Shall Not be Moved, arranged by Moshell especially for the services.
At the end of these solemn remarks, Even S. Dobelle was finally officially inaugurated under the gaze of the students, parents, faculty and staff.
The inauguration began at 11:30 am, and proceeded until around 1:00, when the crowds adjourned to a tent erected in front of the Clement Chemistry building for a light meal, catered by Marriot. The delightful repast hightened the overall effect of this festive event.
Evan Dobelle joins Trinity after several years in the San Francisco area, as Chancellor of the City Colleges of San Francisco. He is reputed to have greatly turned around the direction and focus of that system to a positive light. However, some in the Trinity community note that his stay there was short and fear that he may do the same at Trinity.
Yet, in his inauguration speach, 
Dobelle gave the impression that his stay here would be a long one. He focused on the relationship between Trinity and the city of Hartford. He spoke of coming to the aid of Hartford- in helping them help themselves. Additionally, Dobelle addressed the future of Trinity, intimating that the best years were yet to come.
Some students welcome the change in administration that Dobelle brings. Many students remain open-minded, Don Jacobs, '96 commented: "I get the impression he wants to stay here. He's interested in succeeding here and it seems like he doesn't take Trinity to be a stepping stone for him. I'm optimistic with this presidency and he [seems to have] a general idea of what he wants to do."
