Citizenship in a Diverse Democracy

Flagler College will celebrate the inauguration of Dr. Joseph G. Joyner as the fourth president of Flagler College with a week of community-focused events in February centered on the theme of “Citizenship in a Diverse Democracy.”
While Joyner officially began his presidency in July 2017, an inauguration is a college’s formal ceremony that both installs and celebrates a new president. Flagler will hold an Inaugural Week Feb. 17-24 that focuses on the college’s core values of civility, integrity, collegiality, stewardship and community. The local community is invited to join students, faculty, staff, alumni and visiting scholars to engage in and demonstrate citizenship in a diverse democracy.
Events open to the public include:
Saturday, Feb. 17: Investing in the Community – 9 a.m. Personal Finance and Business Workshops led by Flagler College Faculty and Alumni held in the Ringhaver Student Center, 50 Sevilla St. Topics include estate planning, starting businesses and saving for college. For more information, visit flagler.edu/investinginthecommunity.
Monday, Feb. 19: Alumni Scholars Day – 6 p.m. Panel on “Citizenship in a Diverse Community” in the Virginia Room, Ringhaver Student Center, 50 Sevilla St. This panel will discuss what is required when it comes to citizenship and what a diverse democracy means. Panelists will also discuss the practical tools that can help society build and how to use the country’s diversity to address common goals and challenges. 
Tuesday, Feb. 20: Art & Science Day – 6 p.m. on “Four Channels:  A Collaborative Project Between the Crisp-Ellert Art Museum and the GTM Research Reserve” in the Virginia Room, Ringhaver Student Center, 50 Sevilla St. The panelists will discuss how the partnership developed with the students and staff at the GTMRR, the logistics of the installation itself, and why these community partnerships are such valuable and impactful learning opportunities for students at Flagler.
Wednesday, Feb. 21: International Day – 1 p.m. anticipated start for Naturalization Ceremony in the Lewis Auditorium, 14 Granada St.
Thursday, Feb. 22:  Liberal Arts and Higher Education Day – 7 p.m. Keynote address “Diversity in a Democracy: What Can We Learn from Socrates?” in Lewis Auditorium, 14 Granada St., by Dr. Georgia Nugent, the Senior Fellow at The Council of Independent Colleges (CIC), president emerita of Kenyon College and former interim president of The College of Wooster. Dr. Nugent has been a strong advocate for the continuing importance, power, and vitality of the liberal arts in the 21st century. Her speech will focus on how Socrates, the ancient Greek philosopher, can offer us insight into moving forward in an increasing complex world. 
Friday, Feb. 23: Engaging Students in Higher Education Day – 2 p.m. The ART 415 Gallery Management class will host a curator walk-through and reception on the first floor of Kenan Hall with reproductions of political posters from the Yanker Poster Collection in the Library of Congress displayed to represent political activism as it relates to art history, fine art and graphic design.
Joyner will be installed at an invitation-only inauguration ceremony on Feb. 24 in Lewis Auditorium. However, the ceremony will be streamed online at flagler.edu/inauguration.
Prior to his position as president of Flagler College, Joyner was Superintendent of Schools for the St. Johns County School District in St. Augustine, Fla., a position he had held since July 2003. In this capacity, he oversaw a budget of $633 million, and had oversight of 21 major construction and renovation projects exceeding $387 million. Under Dr. Joyner’s leadership, the School District was recognized as the highest achieving of Florida’s 67 school districts for the past 8 years. It continued to rank among the top districts in the state in the percentage of money spent on the classroom and for financial transparency.
For more information on Flagler’s Inaugural Week, visit flagler.edu/inauguration.