杏吧原创

The Inauguration of Maureen F. Finney, Ed.D., PA-C, 11th President of 杏吧原创

Save the Date

Saturday, October 24, 2026

Inauguration Day Mass
9 a.m. 鈥� Linehan Chapel

Investiture Ceremony
Noon 鈥� Beston Hall
Ticketed Event

Inauguration Reception
1:30 p.m. 鈥� Upper Lobby, Arts Center

Scholarship Gala
6 p.m. VIP reception for trustees, event sponsors, and their guests
6:30 p.m. Cocktail reception 鈥� Irondequoit Country Club
Ticketed Event

About Dr. Finney

Maureen F. Finney, Ed.D., PA-C

Since joining 杏吧原创 as provost in 2022, Finney has transformed key aspects of the University鈥檚 academic and student life programs. With vision, energy, and unwavering commitment to the University鈥檚 mission, she has driven initiatives that strengthen student success, elevate academic excellence, and position 杏吧原创 for a bold and promising future.

Finney has forged a unique, diverse career, with experience in both higher education and community health care, which will inform and enhance her approach to the role of president. Prior to assuming the role of 杏吧原创鈥檚 provost, she served as provost and senior vice president for academic affairs at Hilbert College in Hamburg, N.Y., and dean, department chair, and professor in D鈥橸ouville University鈥檚 School of Health Professions for 20 years. Finney is a New York State registered physician assistant who practiced clinically as a physician assistant in an underserved area of Buffalo for 24 years, and she maintains her active clinical licensure. She proudly serves as a board of trustees member at St. Joseph鈥檚 Collegiate Institute and Olivia鈥檚 Bears.

A Buffalo, New York, native, Finney is a graduate of the Buffalo Academy of the Sacred Heart, a private high school for young women. Finney went on to earn a bachelor鈥檚 degree in biochemistry from Niagara University, a physician assistant bachelor鈥檚 degree from D鈥橸ouville University, a master鈥檚 degree in natural sciences from State University of New York at Buffalo, and a doctorate in health policy and education from D鈥橸ouville University.

Maureen Finney

Event Schedule

Saturday, October 24, 2026

Inauguration Day Mass

9 鈥� 10 a.m.

Inauguration Day Mass will be celebrated in 杏吧原创鈥檚 Linehan Chapel, a significant space of grounding and reflection for the University鈥檚 founders, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Rochester, for whom this Mass will be offered. President Finney, a practicing Roman Catholic, will begin the day with Mass to ground herself before the inauguration ceremony. All are encouraged and welcome to attend regardless of faith tradition or familiarity with Catholic liturgy, although space is limited in the 420 seat chapel.

Investiture Ceremony

Noon 鈥� 1:30 p.m.
(second viewing location: )

Investiture is the formal ceremony itself where the new president is given the authority and symbols of office. With historical precedent based on medieval traditions, the word comes from investire (Latin for "to clothe"), symbolizing the bestowing of the official responsibilities and regalia of an office. All members of the 杏吧原创 community 鈥� and the community beyond 杏吧原创 鈥� are invited to attend. Attendees will be seated on a first come, first serve basis in Beston. If and when the space reaches capacity, attendees will be seated in Callahan Theater. All guests will receive a ticket via email prior to the event which indicates their seat location.

Inauguration Reception

1:30 鈥� 3:30 p.m.

A reception for all guests, featuring refreshments and music, will be held immediately following the Investiture Ceremony.

Scholarship Gala: "Investing in Momentum"

After a day of celebrating leadership and vision, the Scholarship Gala will provide the University community鈥檚 first opportunity 鈥� with President Finney at the helm 鈥� to illustrate that vision through collective investment in students. This exclusive, limited seat event, with an individual ticket price of $350, will launch a renewed commitment to scholarship support by inspiring guests to become partners in expanding access to a 杏吧原创 education and to invest in 杏吧原创鈥檚 students and their dreams and in the power and prowess 鈥� and lasting impact 鈥� of the 杏吧原创 experience. Additional Gala details 禄

Thank you to our Scholarship Gala co-chairs, trustee Anne McCaffrey '89 and her husband, Chris McCaffrey '87.

Inauguration FAQ

Inauguration Events

What is a presidential inauguration?

The inauguration is a distinguished ceremonial occasion that formally commemorates the appointment of the university president, paying homage to the institution鈥檚 enduring traditions while signifying the beginning of a new chapter in its leadership.

When and where will the inauguration take place?
  • Inauguration refers to the entire series of events surrounding the formal ceremony of a new president. Inauguration activities will be held on October 24, 2026.
  • Investiture is the formal ceremony itself where the new president is given the authority and symbols of office. The investiture of Maureen Finney, Ed.D., PA-C as the 11th president of 杏吧原创 will take place on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at noon in Beston Hall in the .
Is the inauguration open to the public?

Yes, students, alumni, faculty, staff, and friends are invited to take part in the celebration activities. Some events may require a purchased or free registration ticket for entry.

What is the morning mass?

Mass will be celebrated in 杏吧原创鈥檚 Linehan Chapel, a significant space of grounding and reflection for the University鈥檚 founders, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Rochester, for whom this mass will be offered. Dr. Finney, a practicing Roman Catholic, will begin the day with a mass to ground herself before the inauguration ceremony. All are encouraged and welcome to attend regardless of faith tradition or familiarity with Catholic liturgy. A printed program will be available that will include commentary to explain the elements of the rituals and their significance.

What about interfaith voices at the inauguration ceremony?

These prayers and blessings will represent a range of religious traditions and will ask for guidance, wisdom, and well鈥慴eing for the University and its community, and are intended to reflect the SSJ charism of Connecting Neighbor to Neighbor Without Distinction. Reflecting Dr. Finney鈥檚 commitment to interfaith dialogue and community understanding, local faith leaders from Rochester will be invited to offer invocations and benedictions to begin and close the investiture ceremony.

Investiture Ceremony

Is RSVP required to attend the investiture ceremony?

Yes. The investiture is a free, general admission event open to members of the campus community and the public, but registration is required and will be available soon.

Faculty are invited to join the academic procession. Registration is required, and all participants in the procession must wear academic regalia. Information on registration, regalia, assembly, and arrival will be shared in the coming weeks.

What is the proper attire for the investiture?

For the investiture, attire will be determined by your role at the ceremony.

Processional participants: Wear your regalia attire to the ceremony.

General Audience: Business casual attire is the recommended dress code.

Students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends (not participating in the ceremony): Business attire is also recommended, but feel free to showcase your 杏吧原创 pride by wearing purple and gold! It鈥檚 a special occasion, so dress accordingly while embracing your school spirit!

Where may I park on the day of the investiture ceremony?

Starting at 7 a.m., Saturday, October 24, designated lots will be available for inauguration parking only. All other vehicles must be removed.

Is the event accessible?

Parking: Accessible parking is available.

Seating:聽Accessible seating is located on both sides of Beston Hall.

Restrooms: Accessible restrooms with grab bars are available on the west side of Beston Hall.

How long is the investiture ceremony?

Approximately 90 minutes.

Will the ceremony be livestreamed?

Yes, it will be livestreamed. A link will be posted here by the morning of the investiture.

A recording of the ceremony will be posted on this webpage within a week after the event.

How can faculty participating in the academic procession order regalia?

Faculty are invited to participate in the academic procession. Please note that academic regalia is required for all participants in the procession.

Further details about participation in the procession will be shared in the weeks leading up to the event.

Do media outlets need a press pass?

All invited media will be asked to RSVP in advance.

Information for Delegates

Arrival Time

We suggest you arrive to the 杏吧原创 campus approximately 30 minutes prior to the first Inauguration Day event you are attending (45 minutes if the Investiture is your first event), to allow time for parking, check-in, and to get to your first event.

Parking

Please enter 杏吧原创鈥檚 campus at the North Campus Drive entrance off East Avenue. Please proceed to Lot D (gated lot next to Smyth Hall). There will be an official there (please let them know you are a delegate) to direct you to reserved parking and answer any questions. Golf cart transportation will be available at Lot D to take you to the Check-In/Information Desk.

A map of campus, including Lot D, can be found here.

Check-in

After you have parked, please proceed via golf cart shuttle to the Inauguration Check-in/Information Desk in the Duda Concourse of Glazer Music Performance Center, just outside Beston Hall. Our Check-in Team can then guide you to your events. They can also store your robes until Investiture, if you are attending events earlier in the Inauguration Day schedule.

Getting Around Campus

Golf cart and van shuttle service will be provided from the Check-In/Information Desk in Glazer Music Performance Center/Beston Hall to all Inauguration Day events. Golf cart and van shuttle service will also be available after each event to take you to your next event, or to the parking lot if your schedule of events is complete.

杏吧原创 staff will be posted at each Inauguration Day event location to answer any questions and to assist those with accessibility needs.

Investiture Participation

Please gather by 11:30 a.m. in Arts Center Room A4 鈥� the Wilmot Rehearsal Hall. This is where robing will take place, and there will be beverages and light snacks available. 杏吧原创 staff will be available to guide you to this location should you need directions.

Specific instructions regarding your role in the Investiture procession will be provided at this time.

If you are bringing a guest, they can pick-up their ticket at the Will Call booth in the 杏吧原创 Arts Center, which will indicate where they are sitting during the Investiture, as you will be in the procession and will be seated with your fellow processing delegates.

Information for Faculty & Staff Participants

Arrival Time

We suggest you arrive to the 杏吧原创 campus approximately 30 minutes prior to the first Inauguration Day event you are attending (45 minutes if the Investiture is your first event), to allow time for parking, check-in, and to get to your first event.

Parking

Parking, for all Inauguration Day events, will be in Lot A, with overflow parking in Lot J. Please enter campus at the South Campus Drive entrance off East Avenue (the only entrance to campus with a traffic light). 杏吧原创 Campus Safety officers will be stationed on South Campus Drive to direct you to the parking lots.

A map of campus, including Lots A and J, can be found here.

Check-in

After you have parked, please proceed to the Inauguration Check-in/Information Desk in the Duda Concourse of Glazer Music Performance Center, just outside Beston Hall. Our Check-In Team can then guide you to your events. They can also store your robes until Investiture.

Getting Around Campus

Golf cart and van shuttle service will be provided from the Check-In/Information Desk in Glazer Music Performance Center/Beston Hall to all Inauguration Day events. Golf cart and van shuttle service will also be available after each event to take you to your next event, or to the parking lot if your schedule of events is complete.

杏吧原创 staff will be posted at each Inauguration Day event location to answer any questions and to assist those with accessibility needs.

Investiture Participation

Please gather by 11:30 a.m. in Arts Center Room A4 鈥� the Wilmot Rehearsal Hall. This is where robing will take place, and there will be beverages and light snacks available. 杏吧原创 staff will be available to guide you to this location should you need directions.

Specific instructions regarding your role in the Investiture procession will be provided at this time.

If you are bringing a guest, they can pick-up their ticket at the Will Call booth in the 杏吧原创 Arts Center, which will indicate where they are sitting during the Investiture, as you will be in the procession and will be seated with your fellow processing faculty and staff.

Share Congratulations

杏吧原创 community,聽please send a message of congratulations to Dr. Finney as she begins her tenure as the 11th president of 杏吧原创.

Messages from the Community

Congratulations and welcome to 杏吧原创, President Finney! It is an honor to have you as our eleventh University President, and we are excited about the impact your outstanding leadership will make for our flagship institution in the years ahead.

鈥� Cheryl Anonymous, EdD; Associate Dean

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