USD welcomes new president

Sarah Brewington | News Editor

A new president has started his term as the University of San Diego’s fourth president since the school’s founding in 1949. James T. Harris III, was chosen last semester by the Board of Trustees to succeed Mary Lyons as captain of the ship.

Harris comes from Widener University in Pennsylvania. Harris had been President at Widener for several years and expected to stay for another 10 years before moving onto other things.

However, opportunity knocked when word got out that Lyons, the University’s last president, was planning on stepping down. In an interview with the Union Tribune of San Diego, Harris shared that peer encouragement convinced him to apply for the job.

The rest is history. This summer, Harris and his wife moved to USD so he could begin his official duties in August. Harris lives on campus in the president’s home, located just beyond Mother Rosalie Hall.

Harris has been at USD for almost a month, and has been filled to the brim with events and interviews. Between interviews with the Union Tribune of San Diego and introduction events to meet students, Harris has been busy. The president attended an ice cream social, on Aug. 3, where he served ice cream to the USD community.

The president is carrying through with his commitment to be visible. He is ensuring that the USD community sees a president that is willing to engage with the entire campus community, including faculty, staff, and students.

The president will attend many welcome events throughout the course of this first semester, and the semester will conclude with an inaugural mass on Dec. 3. Following the mass, on Dec. 4, will be the inaugural installation ceremony.

As the year progresses, members of the USD community, alumnae, faculty, staff, students and the San Diego community will be watching to see how President Harris writes a new chapter for USD.