The ceremony at Lincoln Theater was the high point of UHart’s annual Hawktober Weekend. A full audience of family, friends, representatives from other colleges, and distinguished guests cheered as Ward was presented with the University’s charter and mace, and the medallion signifying his office was placed around his neck.
In his inaugural address, Ward said, “What has become so clear to me, as I anticipate the road ahead for me as your president, is that this is no longer my story. This is, in fact, not a ‘me moment.’ It is a ‘we moment.’ This is now our story.”
Ward spoke of what he called the “amplifying effect” of a University of Hartford education. Describing experiences alumni have shared with him, Ward said, “They describe a transformative impact that the university had in their individual journey of discovery and of new possibilities. A faculty or staff member who believed in them when they perhaps didn't fully believe in themselves. They had a transformative experience at the University of Hartford, then graduated, inspired to have a transformative impact on others. And that story, time and again, repeats itself.”
Ward became UHart’s seventh president on July 1. A dynamic leader in the national higher education landscape with deep Connecticut roots, Ward arrived at UHart after a successful 10-year tenure at Babson College in Wellesley, Massachusetts, where he served as vice president for learner success and dean of campus life.
Board of Regents Chair Donald Allan, Jr. ’86, president and CEO of Stanley Black and Decker, said: “You don't have to spend much time with Larry to understand and experience his deep, intentional, and genuine commitment to students. It is his life's work. He is thoughtful about every aspect of their experience. He is interested in their thoughts and insights. He is concerned for their well-being and he is fueled by their energy and success. He understands that a thriving, successful, vibrant University of Hartford is vital to our region's students, families, partners, workforce, and communities. I have no doubt he will be an exceptional leader in this work.”
Lawrence P. Ward, University of Hartford PresidentWhat has become so clear to me, as I anticipate the road ahead for me as your president, is that this is no longer my story. This is, in fact, not a ‘me moment.’ It is a ‘we moment.’ This is now our story.
University President Emeritus Walter Harrison said of Ward, “He's an outstanding speaker and writer. He has a clear understanding of higher education. He is superb at understanding data and then charting a clear path forward. This last characteristic, charting a clear path forward, is exactly why he is the right person at the right time for the University of Hartford.”
Looking and moving forward was a major theme of Ward’s wide-ranging inaugural address. “I recognize that the last few years have been challenging to our community and to our profession,” he said. “Yet the University of Hartford remains a remarkably resilient institution. We will not be successful relitigating the tensions of the past. So I'm asking you to lean in and to lean forward, to foster a stronger sense of belonging. And frankly, this starts with me and my commitment to open communication, careful listening, transparency, trust and leading with authenticity. We must also demonstrate active leadership in the greater Hartford community. For a university that carries the city of Hartford's name, we must play a leading and contributing role in the economic and educational vitality of the Greater Hartford area, the state of Connecticut, and the northeast region.”
Several members of Ward’s family played prominent roles in the inauguration ceremony, including his children, Emerson and Aidan. Ward’s brother, Rev. Fredd Ward, senior pastor of the First Church of West Hartford, gave the invocation. “You might be wondering: who's the older brother?” he said. “I am actually the older brother. But I say that only to say that I've looked up to president Ward most of my adult life—at no moment more than this one.”
Aidan Ward said, “My entire life, my father has made sacrifice after sacrifice for our family. When it comes to something or someone that he is passionate about, there is nothing that he will not do to see them succeed. For as long as I have known him, his greatest passion was guiding young people where they needed to go. And I have no doubt that that is what he will continue to do here.”
The inauguration ceremony also featured a musical performance by Hartt School mezzo Lynnae Labato ’25. She sang the song “Home” from the musical The Wiz, a favorite of President Ward’s. He closed his address by quoting the lyrics:
Maybe there's a chance
For me to go back
Now that I have some direction
It sure would be nice
To be back home
Where there's love and affection
And just maybe I
Can convince time to slow up
Giving me enough time
In my life to grow up
Time, be my friend, let me start again, back home.