Safa R. Zaki will be inaugurated as Bowdoin’s sixteenth president on Saturday, October 14, 2023.
Alumni, students, faculty and staff, and all members of the Bowdoin College community are invited to join in celebratory events of the weekend and to attend the installation ceremony.
A psychologist and cognitive scientist whose research focuses on how people divide the world into categories, Zaki came to Bowdoin from Williams College, where she was dean of the faculty and the John B. McCoy and John T. McCoy Professor of Psychology. The first woman to lead Bowdoin since its founding in 1794, she assumed the role of president on July 1, 2023.
“In Safa Zaki, Bowdoin has found a distinguished scholar and leader with a global perspective who believes deeply in the transformative power of a liberal arts education.”
–Board Chair Scott Perper ’78
See below for the schedule of events and also browse answers to frequently asked questions.
These events were made possible by the work and dedication of over 500 people. We're so grateful to the entire Bowdoin community for their support.
Schedule of Events
Thursday, October 12, 2023
8:00 p.m.
Morrell Lounge, Smith Union
Student Performances
Bowdoin performers including the Middle Eastern Ensemble, Polar Bear Swing Dance, Obvious, Ursus Verses, and Weatherspoon celebrate Safa Zaki’s inauguration. We start the evening with gelato from Gelato Fiasco at 7:30, so come early!
Friday, October 13, 2023
10:00 a.m.
Lancaster Lounge, Moulton Union
Welcome Center opens
The Welcome Center is the hub of information for Inauguration and Homecoming events. Stop in to get answers for any questions you might have.
3:00 p.m.
Pickard Theater, Memorial Hall
Beyond Good or Bad: AI in the Context of the Liberal Arts
A panel moderated by Sarah and James Bowdoin Professor of Digital and Computational Studies Eric Chown and featuring eminent scholars and leaders in the field of AI: Rumman Chowdhury, Daniel Lee, Carlos Montemayor, and Peter Norvig.
Saturday, October 14, 2023
10:15 a.m.
Main Quad
Inauguration Processional
The stage party, delegates, and representatives from other educational institutions and organizations, members of the board of trustees, and faculty and staff of the College will start the proceedings with a celebratory procession to the inaugural exercises.
10:30 a.m.
Tent, Main Quad
Exercises of Inauguration
The Exercises of Inauguration for Safa R. Zaki, sixteenth president of Bowdoin College. Please plan to arrive for the ceremony by 10:15 a.m.
12:00 p.m.
Dudley Coe Quad
Community Celebration Lunch
Join us on Dudley Coe Quad for a lunch following the inauguration exercises.
1:30 p.m.
Whittier Field
Community Bulb Planting
Join in a community activity to plant flowering bulbs in a new raised bed at Whittier Field. All supplies and tools provided, and all are welcome.