Videographer – Jeff Minor at the Motherhouse Photographer – GA Tony LaRocca from Athletics

– FINAL SCRIPT – Inauguration of Dr. Nancy Blattner 9/19/21

Gathering music – recorded background music loop of Lead Me, Lord Becker); The Summons (KELVINGROVE); On Eagle’s Wings (Joncas); Here I am, Lord (Schutte); You Are Mine (Haas) Music stops

Emcee KBarnes at podium, when music is finished Good afternoon, I am Kay Barnes, the vice president of Advancement at Fontbonne. I’m honored to welcome all of you here for the inauguration and blessing of Dr. Nancy Blattner as the fifteenth president of Fontbonne University. Because of the pandemic this

celebration is long overdue, as Dr Blattner actually began her tenure almost fifteen month ago, so we are especially happy to gather today in recognition of her already incredible leadership and that which the future holds. Please stand as the processional party enters. Sr Barbara Dreher will ring the big bell three times and then Jeff will begin the Processional music – Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring Processional Party led by Dr. Adam Weyhaupt – Academic Vice President Sr. Barbara Dreher, CSJ Karen Gedera – Chair of the Board of Trustees Sr. Margaret Schulz CSJ – CSJ Leadership Dr. Jamie Doronkin – Chair Faculty General Assembly Lucy Marty, president Fontbonne Staff Association Caitlyn Keohane – president Student Government Candance Taylor – president Alumni Board Dr. Nancy Blattner and Mr. Tim Blattner

Emcee – Kay Barnes We are very pleased to have as our guest today, Mitchell Rozanski, archbishop of the Archdiocese of St. Louis, who will offer an invocation to begin our celebration. Invocation – Archbishop Rozanski Emcee – Kay Barnes Thank you, Archbishop Rozanski. I’d like to invite Nancy’s son Brandon Baker, who is visiting from Atlanta, to present the first reading.

Brandon comes to podium A reading from St Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. Be always humble, gentle and patient. Show your love by being tolerant with one another. Do your best to preserve the unity which the Spirit gives by means of the peace that binds you together. There is one body and one Spirit, just as there is one hope to which God has called you. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism; there is one God and Father of

all people, who is Lord of all, works through all, and is in all. Each one of us has received a special gift in proportion to what Christ has given…. So when each works as he or she should, the whole body grows and builds itself up through love. The word of the Lord. Group response: Thanks be to God. Emcee – Kay Barnes Our homilist today is Father Charlie Bouchard, Senior Director of Theology and Sponsorship at The Catholic Health Association of the United States. Fr

Charlie is a Dominican priest and became a friend of Nancy’s when he served as a member of Fontbonne’s board of trustees in the early 2000s. They continued their friendship when she became president of Caldwell University, a Dominican college in New Jersey. Fr Charlie is also a part of a very elite group at Fontbonne as he received our Founder’s Award for Distinguished Service in Theological Education and Formation of Lay Leaders in 2010. Father Charlie . . . Fr. Charlie comes to podium Homily – Fr. Charlie Bouchard O.P.

Emcee – Kay Barnes When Nancy was Academic VP at Fontbonne, she developed a very special friendship with her colleague, Sr. Mary Carol Anth, who was serving as associate academic dean. Their friendship has grown over the years, and Nancy has asked Sr. Mary Carol to share a prayer from “That All May Be ONE” a CSJ book of reflections.

Sr Mary Carol comes to the podium A reading entitled Ready to Respond by Sr. Joan Cassidy, SSJ

Embraced by the circle of Divine Love I am enfolded by the Women of LePuy Women of rock and fire Infusing Passion, Purpose and their Porous hearts into my own Grounded in Grace, the embers flame once again Their yes breathes life into my yes . . . From the center . . . the circle widens and I move to the margins trusting the testimony of this Holy Ground The Clarion Call awaits

May I . . . May We . . . be ready to respond. PAUSE – THEN ADD AMEN Emcee – Kay Barnes Thank you, Sr Mary Carol Call to commission – At a celebration like today’s it is appropriate to recall the original six sisters who came from LePuy, France establishing the spirit on which Fontbonne was founded and where, we believe, that spirit continues today. Those first six sisters arrived in St Louis in 1836 upon invitation from Bishop Joseph Rosati who had asked for sisters capable of teaching deaf individuals. They opened a school for children and were joined the following year by two

more sisters who arrived to teach the deaf. And that began the long tradition of the sisters, and later teachers trained at Fontbonne, serving students with profound hearing loss and speech impediments. In 1907, permission was given to purchase land near St Louis to build a college for girls. In 1908 the land, now known as Fontbonne’s Clayton campus, was purchased. The spirit and courage of those first sisters had been passed to Superior General Sister Agnes Gonzaga Ryan and her council as they worked to raise funds, acquire academic certification, build our dear Fontbonne and hire the faculty comprised of sisters and lay teachers to begin instruction in 1923. And that spirit of the Sisters of St

Joseph is why we are here today – because I will tell you that Nancy Blattner embodies that spirit and has been called to keep it alive at Fontbonne University. Nancy is an associate of both the Dominicans and the Sisters of St Joseph of Carondelet and has served both religious congregations as president of one of their universities. In recognition of her service to both congregations, we have asked Sr Kathleen Tuite, VP of Student Life at Caldwell University to represent the knowledge Nancy gained during her time with the Dominicans and former Fontbonne president, Sr. Jane Kehoe Hassett, the last Sister of St Joseph to serve as president to

represent the spirit of the long line of devoted Sisters of St. Joseph who have served at Fontbonne. Together they will light a candle for Nancy’s presidency. Both sisters step forward and use two candles to light one and return to their seats. The candles will be on the same table with the medallion and charter Another very special CSJ friend of Nancy from her previous service at Fontbonne is Sr Barbara Dreher. Sr Barbara served as Fontbonne’s chancellor at that time and was Nancy’s sponsor in the CSJ Associate program. Sr Barbara participated in Nancy’s inauguration at Caldwell, and we are honored that she has written and will present today’s

blessing. I’d like to invite Sr Barbara and Dr. Blattner to come forward. ** Barbara comes to the podium and Nancy stands in front of the podium. KB continues to introduce others. ** I’d also like to invite several others who comprise the many parts of Nancy’s life at Fontbonne to come forward and surround her – Karen Gedera, representing the Board of Trustees Sr. Margaret Schulz representing the Sisters of St Joseph Province Leadership team Dr. Adam Wi-hop representing the Executive Leadership Team Dr. Jamie Doronkin representing Fontbonne’s Faculty Lucy Marty representing Fontbonne’s Staff Caitlyn Ko-hane representing our Fontbonne students Candance Taylor representing our more than 20,000 alumni; and Tim Blattner, Nancy’s husband representing Nancy’s loving family

Participants stand in a semi-circle around Nancy. Blessing – Sr Barbara Dreher, CSJ will read the blessing from the podium. WAIT AND TAKE THE LEAD TO RAISE YOUR HAND IN BLESSING FROM ADAM. KB to assist with water.

+ Blessing of President Blattner +

Creator God, Instigator of all life,

Enfold President Nancy Blattner with your imaginative energy.

Nurture her with contagious hope, daring and what-if wonderings… the kind

that will guide – even push – Fontbonne University to, like the Sisters of St.

Joseph of Carondelet

Go deeper. Journey farther. Respond boldly. Dare to be prophetic.1

as she encourages and guides the Fontbonne community to

practice, more than proclaim, their

Mission, Vision Values and Commitment.

Word Enfleshed, Fingerprint of God,

Anoint President Blattner with a constant urge and holy gumption to use her

gifts wisely and generously – no exceptions.

1 Taken from the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet Congregational Chapter 2019 Statement of Future Directions

Grace her to lead from inside “the spirit of the beatitudes with generous and

courageous love.” 2

Embolden her with Gospel strength and radical daring to question, imagine,

experiment, collaborate, and oh, so much more… because Fontbonne

students, faculty, staff, parents, alumni, board members and all those

Fontbonne engages deserve no less.

Empower her to seek diversity inside unity.

Nudge her to exercise radical optimism.

Guide her to ask hard questions – the foundational kind that get to the heart

of what matters more than what’s the matter.

Call her to prayer, often.

Hold her when difficulties arise.

Strengthen her sense of humor, inquiry and resolve.

Remind her that she is not alone and remind

all of us to support and challenge her because…

“Together we are more3” when it comes to strengthening

and advancing Fontbonne’s presence and ministry of

higher education.

Abiding Spirit, Breath of God,

You whose Pentecost presence constantly pushes us to live more than preach

Gospel values and parable-challenges. Go ahead, once again surround Nancy

with your Spirit-wisdom.

Monogram her every word and action with integrity.

Nourish her with a constant hunger to be a leader grounded in service,

one whose vision includes all

one whose decisions reflect the common good

one whose knowledge is nourished with heart and faith

one who gives and lives without counting the cost

2 Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet Constitution, ¶3 3 Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, St. Louis Province motto.

one who dares to spend herself asking with others: Why? What if?

Why not? When, if not now?

In all this, Breath of God, love her.

Love her unconditionally, especially when she challenges herself –

indeed, all of us – to change, rearrange, reimagine, set aside “it’s been

done this way for years,” so that what lies ahead for the future of

Fontbonne University will happen because of, not in spite of her or us.

Holy One, Trinity God,

Receive our prayer and… with this sprinkling of sacred waters from LePuy,

Fontbonne, and here, our Carondelet Motherhouse, we ask you to rain down

a shower of blessings upon Nancy Blattner and to empower her by your holy

grace to be your transformative presence in her ministry as the 15th

president of Fontbonne University.

We pray this with audacious hope as together we proclaim

AMEN!

Nancy, in the name of all within and beyond this sacred space,

it is my privilege to say,

“Welcome home, President Blattner, welcome home!”

Thank you, Sr Barbara and all of our participants. Emcee – Kay Barnes And now I’d like to introduce Sr Margaret Mary Schulz a member of the CSJ Leadership team who will present the University charter and Karen Gedera,

Fontbonne Class of ’65 and current chair of the Board of Trustees to present the presidential medallion. BOTH COME TO PODIUM Presentation – Sr Margaret Nancy, as the representative of the Sisters of St Joseph, who founded Fontbonne University, I present you with the original copy of the university’s charter which serves as a guide to leading this fine institution. Sr Margaret gives Nancy the charter to hold and then returns to her seat. Nancy holds the charter for everyone to see. Karen comes to the podium. Investiture – Karen Gedera

Nancy, as Chair of Fontbonne’s Board of Trustees, I would like to present you with this president’s medallion which serves as a symbol of the high office you hold at the University continuing the spirit of those who have served before you. It should be worn with your academic regalia during your tenure as President and serve as a visible reminder of the respect and trust that this University has placed in you by the trustees and all of us gathered here. We honor your integrity and commitment to meet the challenges and embrace the opportunities that lie ahead. We know you will wear it proudly, Nancy. Karen steps down from podium to get the medallion and puts in on Nancy saying -

I hereby invest you as the fifteenth president of Fontbonne University. Congratulations! APPLAUSE Emcee – Kay Barnes And now to officially introduce Dr. Blattner, I invite her dear friend and former colleague from Caldwell University, Dominican Sr Kathleen Tuite to the podium. Blattner intro – Sr. Kathleen Tuite O.P. Approximately 959 miles northeast of St Louis is found the town of Caldwell NJ. In Caldwell, NJ you will find a fairly typical suburban town with a large Main Street, hard working families, good eateries, a typical tri-state area neighborhood with Caldwell being 30 miles west of NYC. Up the hill, off the Main Street, you will find the Motherhouse grounds of the Sisters of St. Dominic of Caldwell, NJ, and on those grounds, you will find Caldwell University.

It was 2009 and Caldwell College, at the time, was in a search for a new President to lead this co-educational institution of Catholic Higher education, that was founded in 1939. Since its inception, Caldwell had been led by a religious sister, but the time had come where the needs to run the institution were no longer found among the sisters. At the time of the search for a new president, I lived with the Prioress who would come home after interviewing the candidates with a pleasant comment such as ‘oh, they’re a nice person, they have the skills… Please know, never revealing who these people were. Her last interview sparked a different kind of response at home. Her statement was, oh wait until you see this person. She stated that this person had done their homework, knew the history and tradition of Caldwell College, and even knew things about the Dominican Order that we did not know! My interest was peaked! The truth was, that when Nancy Blattner came and presented herself to the Caldwell College Community, she stood out! Frankly, that’s what happens when goodness, authenticity, and integrity present themselves. They stand out. There’s no doubt in my mind that Nancy’s influences along her journey of life have shaped and formed her in goodness, authenticity, and integrity. If you don’t know about Nancy, she has a story to tell about the many people and situations that have made her into who she is today. Some of you are in this room, others of you are on live stream, and others are rejoicing with God. The other reality is that Nancy made choices that ultimately influence the lives of other people for good. She

chose to pursue education, she was invited by others who recognized her gift of leadership to participate in development programs. All of which prepares her to serve at the highest level of educational administration. And I have to say, one of her most influential training grounds was right here at the Motherhouse of the SSJ’s and Fontbonne University. She does not do this for her own glory, she does this in service to all God’s people. That’s what makes Nancy different! Author Fredrick Buechner writes“Vocation is the place where our deep gladness meets the world's deep need.” Nancy has stated that she truly believes her work is a vocation, not a job. It’s a God given call that Nancy has chosen to listen to. She yearns to satisfy the world’s deepest pains and needs; she did so at Caldwell University and she’s come back home to do so at Fontbonne University. Sometimes, this cannot always be a reality and it hurts. Honestly, it never stops Nancy from starting again the next day. Her faith in God and humanity is undaunted. Some of Nancy’s proudest and long lasting accomplishments at Caldwell University are a reflection of her passion in giving expression to Catholic Identity. She inaugurated the Campus Ministry Belize week long service experience. She brought the gift of ministering in the country of Belize from her days at Fontbonne. The other was the creation of a centrally located Chapel on the campus grounds. This allowed for all to stop in and share prayer and peace with God.

A motto of the Dominican Family, of which Caldwell University is part of, is Laudare, benedicere, praedicare, To praise, to bless, to preach. Nancy’s being so keenly reflects these words. She joyfully praises the name of God in song, attend mass with her, you’ll find out. If you’ve ever been in a car with her or walked the busy streets with her, it’s never without a stop in assisting someone who may need a meal or a kind word, her preaching is found in action. She unabashedly stops to bless others through praying with the hurting or those celebrating. Therefore, It’s so appropriate as Nancy returns home to Fontbonne University the torch is passed in embracing a new motto, one that gives reflection to the foundation and core commitment of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondolet the founders of Fontbonne University as they strive to ‘move always towards profound love of God and neighbor without distinction.’ Please know, sisters and members of the Fontbonne Community, as previously stated about Nancy, goodness, authenticity and integrity do serve without distinction. About 13 miles west of this motherhouse, on the corner of Big Bend and Wydown Blvd. is found Fontbonne University. Established in 1923, it’s mission is rooted in the SSJ heritage of integrity, respect, diversity, community, justice, service, faith and Catholic identity. It is this heritage that helps to shape the quality of education and leadership development experiences the students of Fontbonne University are exposed to and deserve. Today’s inauguration of Dr. Nancy Blattner as the 15th president, assures the faithful transmission of this heritage as

well faithfulness in providing a quality experience of Catholic Higher Education. A Catholic College President once said, and I quote: “I think Catholic education gives students not only an academically excellent experience – which is so important”. “But I think even more importantly, it prepares people to live lives of importance, where they develop their spiritual journey that helps them to be successful and weather life’s many storms.” End quote, Nancy H. Blattner. Welcome Home, Nancy, and may you always be open to allowing God to work through you in a world that so desperately needs the likes of you. Peace

Remarks – Dr. Nancy Blattner “The Spirit of God speaks. We are called. Let us respond: Here I am, Lord; send me.” Good afternoon, your excellency Archbishop Rozanski, members of our sponsoring congregation the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, members of Fontbonne’s Board of Trustees and emeritus members, previous presidents at Fontbonne—Sr. Jane Hassett, CSJ or #11 as I fondly refer to her and Dr. Dennis Golden, who first hired me at Fontbonne, St. Louis University president Fred Pestello and First Lady Fran, representative members of the faculty, staff and students at Fontbonne, members of my executive leadership team,

colleagues, (board members) and friends from New Jersey--Kathleen, Kevin, Sharon and Megan, ACE Fellow Classmate Sr. Ellen Dauwer, our family members and special friends. I want to thank the CSJs and especially Sister Betty Liewe for the ability to hold today’s ceremony in this sacred space, in a building where I lived for a year. Thank you also to all who helped plan and implement today’s inauguration—Kay, Kate, Ben, Natalie, Jeff and Rudy. An inauguration offers an opportunity to reflect on one’s life journey, to try to chart the steps that brought a person to a particular place at one moment in time. But the ceremony also celebrates a moment in the history of an institution. Hopefully, today in my remarks, I can tie these two together since I believe my path and this venerable institution have been integrally connected since I first arrived at Fontbonne 17 years ago as its vice president for academic affairs and dean of the faculty. When I reflected on my career path leading up to this occasion, one event kept returning to my thoughts, and I’d like to open my remarks by sharing a bit of that experience with you. In August 2004 I witnessed a ceremony that changed the course of my professional life. That evening I experienced Catch the Fire for the first time. For our guests who are not part of the Fontbonne community, Catch the Fire chronicles the story of our founders, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet in 17th century France and their subsequent history leading to their travels to St. Louis and ultimately their vision for Fontbonne College as it was first called. But this ceremony performed each

summer as part of new students’ orientation exercises also serves as a reminder that Christ is the light of the world and that when the Sisters did God’s work then or when we respond to God’s call now, we bring that light even into the darkest places. The ceremony concludes with each incoming first-year student receiving a candle and being asked to take that light into the world, to carry on the work of the Sisters in serving the dear neighbor in need without distinction and in so doing to live out the CSJ charism. After the ceremony ended that August evening in 2004, I called my husband Tim in Cape Girardeau—most of you know that we had a commuting marriage for the five years I previously served at Fontbonne--and told him that I wanted to remain in Catholic higher education for the rest of my career, that I had found the place where my personal values and beliefs were married with my professional aspirations. Little did I know that this journey in Catholic higher education would take me from Fontbonne in 2009 to the presidency of Caldwell College as it was known then or that 11 years later I would return to lead Fontbonne, the institution where my walk in Catholic higher education had begun years before. What I learned at Fontbonne from 2004-2009 accompanied me on my journey to Caldwell: my immediate response—even before I had left St. Louis--to Mountainside Hospital in NJ to partner to start a nursing program at Caldwell was based on my knowledge of such relationships here between Fontbonne and Deaconess and then Chamberlain Schools of Nursing. Our annual day of service at Fontbonne soon became an annual

event at my new home institution in NJ, aptly titled Caldwell Day. My relationship with the board, members of the sponsoring congregation, legal counsel, my colleagues on the leadership team and with faculty, staff and students while I was a vice president and dean at Fontbonne informed my early decisions as I moved across the country to take on a job that was frankly unimaginable in the challenges it presented. In addition to this knowledge and these skills, when I left Fontbonne, I also took the prayers of so many CSJs, the good wishes of the faculty and staff, and the sense of community, particularly with the students, that have made Fontbonne such a special place to study, to live and to work. Armed with those gifts, my 11 years at Caldwell began—and passed more swiftly than I could have imagined. In the summer of 2019, another call came, inviting me to consider returning to Fontbonne. It was a difficult decision to make. Tim and I had grown comfortable in our adopted home in NJ; we had made friends; we had enjoyed the amenities offered on the East Coast. We had a good life, but the call grew stronger (and it wasn’t just from you, Sister Mary Carol!). I felt that my work at Caldwell was drawing to an end, and it was time to return to Missouri where we had a son and other family, back to an institution that had started my journey in Catholic higher education. When I returned to Fontbonne almost 15 months ago, gifts from Caldwell came with me: information on how to build a summer scholars program, the logistics for starting a sprint football program; the nursing curriculum that I’d helped to

build at Caldwell now became the foundation of Fontbonne’s new program which will serve hundreds of students in the years to come, carrying out Fontbonne’s mission to educate students who will transform the world. And just as the prayers of the CSJs followed me to New Jersey, the phone calls, texts, cards and emails have continued between me and those special people with whom I worked and became friends while at Caldwell. Serving as the president of a university, particularly a faith-based institution that strives not only to provide an excellent education for students but also to shape their characters and instill lifelong values, is both a humbling experience as well as an overwhelming responsibility at times. Through my work at both Fontbonne and Caldwell, I have been blessed to be supported by committed board members, surrounded by an energetic and visionary team, and to be nurtured by a loving family and circle of friends. Together, we are making the difference in the lives of countless students who hunger for more—for a college degree, for a better life, for a more just world. We are preaching God’s word through our lived example and serving the dear neighbor in need through our service. Today in a world that is beset by problems of systemic injustice and the impact of a world-wide pandemic, the system of higher education is in turmoil. For the first time in decades, people are questioning the value of higher education. Problems with access and affordability are closing off the opportunity for a college degree to those students who most need the support

offered by institutions like Fontbonne. The emphasis in society on materialism and looking out for number one often runs counter to the values we espouse on campus: respect, integrity, community, excellence, service, justice, and faith. But it is at this very time that the faith-based, value-laden education offered by Fontbonne is most needed. At our university, which is positioned to celebrate its centennial anniversary next year, we welcome students who are first generation to college in their families, those who come from socio-economically challenged backgrounds, those who may be academically underprepared and those who represent diversity in all its manifestations. We give these students an excellent education both through their curricular studies and co-curricular activities. We provide them the foundations of a liberal arts education—writing and speaking skills, problem-solving approaches, working independently or as part of a team. But more than all of this, we teach them about the dignity of each human being, the importance of service, the value of a well-lived life. Fontbonne graduates truly are positioned to go back to their families and out into their communities, parishes, workplaces and even the world and make a transformative difference. Together, we share this mission. Together, we make a difference. Together we change their lives—and ours—for the better. Before I close my remarks, I want to say a few special words to my family members who are here today. To our grandchildren, Brock, Caitlynn and Bradyn: You are not only the future of our family; you are the future of our world. Take advantage of the

opportunity to receive a college education, but also always be the best person you can be. I expect the former of you, but I desire the latter even more. To our children: Kindal, Greg and Brandon. I am so very fortunate to be your mom, to be part of your lives. I am so proud of each of you and the lives you have built. Thank you for supporting me on this path I have been called to that has taken me away and then brought me back….And finally, to my husband and partner Tim: you inspired me to dream bigger than I ever could have, to take on challenges that I thought would overwhelm me, to be more than I knew I could be, and to celebrate the joys of life both large and small. What a wonderful life we have had. I will conclude my comments with a quote I found written on the inside cover of my copy of CSJ Elizabeth Johnson’s, Quest for the Living God, when I reread her book this summer. The quote states: “I know not what the future holds, but I know Who holds the future.” This inscription reminded me of my favorite Scripture passage from Jeremiah which is reprinted on the front of today’s program: “For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.” Let us leave today’s ceremony knowing firmly that we are in God’s hands and that Fontbonne’s future is one of hope and prosperity. I ask you to hold the university and me in your prayers throughout this academic year as we carry out the charism of our founders, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, when they envisioned a college in Clayton almost 100 years ago. May God bless each of you abundantly today and always.

Emcee – Kay Barnes Thank you, Nancy. Thank you for your YES to Fontbonne. We’d like to close today’s celebration with something near and dear to Nancy’s heart - a favorite music selection from Nancy’s Caldwell days, the Dominican Magnificat. Please remain seated, relax and enjoy this beautiful reflection. And if you know the words feel free to sing along with Nancy and Sr Kathleen and Sharon and Fr Charlie! MUSIC – Dominican Magnificat Emcee – Kay Barnes Thank you for coming to be a very special part of today’s celebration. Please join us for a reception in St

Joseph’s Hall located to your right as you exit the Chapel. RECESSIONAL MUSIC BEGINS – Trumpet Voluntare Recessional will be led by Nancy and Tim