The University of Hartford held an inauguration for President Lawrence P. Ward on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, on its West Hartford campus.

Lawrence Ward was inaugurated as the president of the University of Hartford on Oct. 26, 2024. Courtesy photo

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The University of Hartford celebrated a new era of leadership with the inauguration of President Lawrence P. Ward on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2025.

The inauguration, held at the University’s Lincoln Theater, was the high point of the annual Hawktober family and homecoming weekend. President Ward was presented with the University charter and mace, and the medallion signifying his new office, as he was officially welcomed by Board of Regents Chair Donald Allan Jr. ‘86, president and CEO of Stanley Black and Decker.

Lawrence Ward was inaugurated as the president of the University of Hartford on Oct. 26, 2024. Courtesy photo

In his inaugural address, President Ward told the assembled guests: “This is not a me moment – this is a we moment,” as he challenged the University community to “reimagine what excellence looks like.”

The ceremony featured an invocation from Ward’s brother, Rev. Fredd Ward, senior pastor of the First Church of West Hartford, and addresses from President Ward’s children, Emerson and Aidan. Hartt School undergraduate Lynnae Labato ’25 performed the song “Home” from the musical The Wiz, a favorite of President Ward’s.

Lawrence Ward was inaugurated as the president of the University of Hartford on Oct. 26, 2024. Courtesy photo

Also as part of the inaugural celebration, UHart invited their community to worship with the First Church West Hartford community on Sunday morning Oct. 27. With so many members of First Church having connections to the nearby university, it made for a very special worship time together. The sermon presented by Lawrence Ward’s brother, Rev. Fredd Ward, was: “The Presidential Impulse: Lead with Love.”

University of Hartford President Lawrence Ward (right) with his brother, Rev. Fredd Ward, senior pastor at First Church West Hartford. Courtesy photo

Ward, UHart’s seventh president, took office in July. A native of the Hartford area, he came to the University after 10 years at Babson College in Wellesley, Massachusetts.

Lawrence Ward was inaugurated as the president of the University of Hartford on Oct. 26, 2024. Courtesy photo

Lawrence Ward was inaugurated as the president of the University of Hartford on Oct. 26, 2024. Courtesy photo

Lawrence Ward was inaugurated as the president of the University of Hartford on Oct. 26, 2024. Courtesy photo

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