SPRINGFIELD, OH – Students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends will join in celebrating the Inauguration of Wittenberg's 16th president, Dr. Christian M.M. Brady, at 3 p.m., Friday, Oct. 17, in historic Weaver Chapel. Dr. Brady’s presidency marks an exciting new chapter at the University — one rooted in the liberal arts tradition yet aimed toward a bold, meaningful future on the Wittenberg Way. To complement the Inauguration, several events are being planned throughout the week beginning on Wednesday, Oct. 15, through Sunday, Oct. 19.

A transformational administrator, respected scholar, and author, Dr. Christian M. M. Brady began his tenure as the University’s 16th president on June 1, 2025. In his first few months at Wittenberg, Dr. Brady has already made an impact, including launching a strategic planning process, partnering on new recruitment pipelines, securing leadership-level gifts, and instilling a renewed sense of hope in the University among alumni, faculty, staff, students, and families. In August 2025, he served as the keynote speaker for Wittenberg’s Opening Convocation, the traditional kick-off of a new academic year. His address was titled “Hope,” in which he noted that hope "is not simply a belief or an attitude; it is the first action we must take in any endeavor."

Prior to leading Wittenberg, Dr. Brady spearheaded the creation of the Lewis Honors College at the University of Kentucky (UK), where he also served as the inaugural T. W. Lewis Dean, growing the college to over 2,400 students and leading a $50 million capital campaign. As interim dean of UK’s College of Arts & Sciences, he also successfully managed an $81 million budget, 440 faculty members, 19 departments, and nearly 7,500 students. Before joining UK, Dr. Brady transformed the Schreyer Honors College at The Pennsylvania State University into a national model for excellence, tripling its applications, dramatically increasing selectivity, and raising more than $80 million to enhance honors education.

Committed to inspiring others with a bold, positive vision for the future, Dr. Brady works to build consensus around shared goals, communicates openly, honestly, and consistently, and works with energy and purpose to turn vision into action. Beyond his administrative acumen, Dr. Brady is an expert in ancient Hebrew and Jewish literature, having published extensively and served in leadership roles for organizations such as the Society of Biblical Literature and the International Organization for Targumic Studies. 

Dr. Brady holds a bachelor’s degree from Cornell University, a master’s degree from Wheaton College Graduate School in Illinois, and a graduate diploma and doctorate from the University of Oxford. Additionally, Dr. Brady is an Episcopal priest and Canon Theologian in the Episcopal Diocese of Lexington in Kentucky. He is married to Elizabeth Brady, who is an author and an associate teaching professor of Communication Arts and Sciences at The Pennsylvania State University. Their daughter Isabel is completing her doctorate in Medieval Art History at Florida State University. Their son Mack died unexpectedly in 2012, just two weeks shy of his 9th birthday, and they have established a memorial fund for goalkeepers with Penn State Men’s Soccer. Both Elizabeth and Christian participate in the bereaved parent community through service and writing.

As part of the official Inauguration ceremony, delegates representing colleges and universities across the country are expected to process, along with representatives from Wittenberg's faculty, staff, and students, alumni, the Springfield community, and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Wittenberg’s sister city of Wittenberg, Germany, where the University offers a popular study-away option, will also be represented at Friday’s ceremony. Each representative will provide respective greetings. 

William D. “Bill” Edwards, class of 1989 and chair of the Wittenberg University Board of Directors will welcome all those present, and The Rev. Canon Hugh R. Page, Jr., the University of Notre Dame’s Vice President for Belonging, Engagement, and Mission and Advisor to the President, will provide brief remarks. Kenton Ridge High School’s Chamber Singers will also perform at the event. After the ceremony, all will gather for a post-event reception on nearby Chapel Lawn.

Coordinated by a 16-member steering committee, the week will shine a light on Wittenberg’s mission and purpose, and on the Wittenberg Way, which Dr. Brady has summarized as follows: “On the Wittenberg Way, our students discern their calling, develop the knowledge and skills needed for successful careers, and prepare for purposeful and fulfilling lives.”

“We are excited to walk together on the Wittenberg Way,” said Chief of Staff and Inauguration Steering Committee Co-Chair Brandee Bates Kern. “Wittenberg’s motto, ‘Having light we pass it on to others,’ has also inspired all facets of our Inauguration celebration. Our hope is that our community will see that light as we celebrate academic excellence, our commitment to service, and our approach to helping students discover who they are truly meant to be.”

Leading up to and following the ceremony, Wittenberg is pleased to offer the following engagement opportunities:

• The student-focused Witt Way Wednesday from 6-9 p.m., Oct. 15, on Chapel Lawn and along Alumni Way featuring games, crafts, giveaways, and dinner for students and the entire campus community (rain site: Pam Evans Smith Arena, part of the Health, Wellness & Athletics Complex).
• A faculty-led research experience symposium on Thursday, Oct. 16 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and again from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 17, at Thomas Library showing how academics are activated at Wittenberg with information on such experiential learning opportunities and high-impact practices as summer research, first-year research awards (FYRAs), the Hagen Center Summer Internship Program, FIRE Week, and study abroad, as well as the Witt in Washington, D.C., and Witt in Wittenberg, Germany programs.
• A celebration of service with alumni on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the 1929 Gymnasium, along with a Lesotho Nutrition Initiative meal-packing event.
• A Tiger Town 2.0 Tailgate from 2:30 to 4 p.m. before the Tigers take on Denison in the NCAC matchup at Edwards-Maurer Field at 4 p.m.
• Donuts and fellowship at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 19, followed by a worship service at 11 a.m. at Weaver Chapel. 
  Each day, the Welcome Center at the Bayley Alumni House will also be open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Find a complete schedule and more inauguration-related information here.