Washington University held a reception for the Chancellor Designate Andrew Martin, which was attended by approximately 400 students, Tuesday, Sept. 25.

Students gathered in the Athletic Complex to enjoy complimentary food provided by a variety of St. Louis food trucks and talk with the new chancellor.

Grace Bruton | Student Life

Chancellor Designate Andrew Martin addresses students and the Washington University community at his homecoming reception Tuesday. Martin discussed his enthusiasm about returning to Wash. U., citing his excitement to meet students and his love of sports events as highlights to look forward to.

Martin spoke about his excitement to return to St. Louis and to continue to improve the University.

“I am very, very excited to be coming home [to] St. Louis at Washington University. [It] is such a special place due to its brilliant faculty and staff who work together to create a wonderful environment,” Martin said. “Washington University has served the public in so many ways that I look forward to rolling up my sleeves and [continuing] the core mission of the University.”

Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Lori White shares Martin’s enthusiasm.

“I am very excited that students can have a chance to meet him. I met him already, and I am really excited to welcome him back to Wash. U.,” White said. “He is really interested in connecting with students and hearing from them and having the chance to know a little bit more about what the student experience is like here at Wash. U.”

White’s Chief of Staff and Associate Dean for Strategic Initiatives James Parker enjoyed the student presence at the event.

“I am excited that there are students willing to help with the reception, welcome him, meet him and ask questions,” Parker said. “I am excited to see the crowd starting to grow.”

The first 500 students to arrive at the event received a free T-shirt showing a portrait of Martin with the Washington University Bear mascot.

Martin is a fan of sports both in St. Louis and at Washington University.

“When we lived here, we went to lots of Cardinals games as well as lots of Washington University sports events,” Martin said. “I guess I have been to…between 300 and 400 games during my 20 years here in St. Louis…What I am really excited about is that my 10-year-old daughter will be here with us; so, she can be here with me to cheer with student athletics.”

Grace Bruton | Student Life

Chancellor Designate Andrew Martin and Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Lori White hold up a framed gift for Martin to commemorate his homecoming to Wash. U. Martin addressed students and community members at the event, which featured offerings from food trucks.

Introducing Martin, Chancellor Mark Wrighton expressed enthusiasm for his successor.

“I am very excited about having Andrew Martin with us. He is a very experienced university leader with [a] great academic [track record], and it is very exciting that he is rejoining us,” Wrighton said. “He is a great chancellor.”

Freshman Katie McGilvery shared this enthusiasm about meeting the new chancellor.

“It is a really good way to get all the students out here because otherwise we wouldn’t have the opportunity to meet our new chancellor and so many other deans and important staff members,” McGilvery said.

Wrighton intends to conclude his term in 2019 but will continue to hold a full-time position at the University.

“I will be working with some of my colleagues now focusing on international issues, continue doing fundraising and planning to teach a First-Year Seminar,” Wrighton said.

Wrighton is ready to transition into a different role at the University.

“I have served here for 24 years, and I am looking forward to a change in my pace. I am still being involved meaningfully but without the intensity of all the responsibility. It is going to be a good time in my life,” Wrighton said.

Head coach of the football team Larry Kindbom believes that Martin is prepared for his new position.

“I am excited. Andrew Martin has [a] great knowledge and idea of what Wash. U. is all about,” he said. “He has been here as a student to study political science; so, I think he is pretty cool. Now we have the opportunity to celebrate my third chancellor since I have been here.”

Associate Dean of Undergraduate Residential Learning Jill Stratton also witnessed the beginning of both Wrighton and Martin’s careers as chancellor.

“For Martin, it is home-coming because he got his Ph.D. here. I knew him a little bit when he was a political science professor before he went to Michigan, and I think he was personable, smart and dedicated to student affairs,” Stratton said. “But most excitingly, I was here in 1995 when Mark Wrighton came when he was 46, and Andrew Martin was 22. So, I am able to see awesome leadership of Mark Wrighton and [him] passing the torch to our new chancellor, Andrew Martin.”