WATERVILLE, MAINE, April 2025 — More than 350 people attended Thomas College President Jeannine Diddle Uzzi’s presidential inauguration on Friday, April 11 at Thomas College in Waterville.
Uzzi was welcomed and inaugurated in front of Thomas College students, staff, board, faculty, friends of the College, and community members. Uzzi is the sixth President in Thomas College’s 131-year history and officially began her Presidential duties on November 1, 2024.
Speakers during the event included Rabbi Rachel Issacs, Beth Israel Congregation; Jared Cash, Mitchell Institute; Mary Jane (MJ) Uzzi, President Uzzi’s daughter; Kelley Shimansky, Thomas College Board of Trustees Chair; students Abby Farone and Cole Ellis and Professor Dr. Alicia McCarthy; and President Dr. Jeannine Diddle Uzzi.
The presidential inauguration included a procession of students, faculty, board members and dignitaries from more than 10 higher education institutions. The procession was led by the Anah Highlanders.
“It was an honor to officially welcome and celebrate Thomas College’s new President Dr. Jeannine Diddle Uzzi during her inauguration,” said Thomas College Board Chair Kelley Shimansky. “Jeannine’s demonstrated leadership skills, collaborative nature, and commitment to the value of higher education makes her a great fit at Thomas College. Her energy and enthusiasm over her first several months at Thomas have already made a great impact.”
“I am proud of the legacy of Thomas College, proud of all Thomas has given to the state of Maine, and I am honored to have the privilege of leading the school into its next decade and bright future,” said President Dr. Uzzi.
“Thomas College has the kind of culture you can’t manufacture and you can’t purchase, and this is why we are here. We gathered together today to foresee the successful future of Thomas College. Like most other institutions of higher education, Thomas is facing challenges we could not have imagined a decade ago. We are small; we don’t have a huge bank account; we have to adapt to an external environment we do not control and that may not favor us. The culture of Thomas College is powerful, and this culture is the thing that will bring us new students, new employees, new partners, and new funding,” said Uzzi.
About Thomas College:
U.S. News and World Report consistently ranks Thomas College as a top college in Maine for social mobility. Our clear career focus and one-of-a-kind Guaranteed Job Program™ makes it possible to advance faster in the arts and sciences, business, and education. Earn an undergraduate degree in three years and then choose from a variety of in-person or online graduate degree programs that can be completed in one-year or two. Located in Waterville, Maine, Thomas College is your pathway to a promising future, guaranteed. For more information visit thomas.edu or contact MacKenzie Riley Young at [email protected] or 207-859-1313. Find us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, and TikTok.