Nichols celebrates investiture of President Pieczynski
The risers quickly filled as students, nearly all wearing specially designed investiture t-shirts featuring “Pieczynski” and the number 9 on the back, filed into the Athletic and Recreation Center after processing over Budleigh Hill. Reminiscent of an actual ballpark, students continuously sat-stood-sat, moving in toward the center of the bleachers in pseudo-wave fashion, helping to ensure everyone could find a seat. The College leadership procession soon followed, spilling into the gymnasium. Once all were seated, the ceremonial mace pounded twice on the platform stage.
The Nichols College community convened for the investiture of William C. Pieczynski on Friday, October 18, as the ninth president of Nichols College, a role he has held since May 2024.
President Pieczynski has a long and distinguished career at Nichols, working closely with faculty, staff and students across academic disciplines and campus-wide departments. He joined the College as director of the Nichols Fund in 2006, where he was charged with expanding the President’s Society, generating annual funds and overseeing alumni relations. President Pieczynski was named vice president for advancement in 2010 when he oversaw the successful completion of the College’s bicentennial campaign, Securing a Legacy of Leadership, which raised $66 million to support capital projects, endowment and brand-elevating curricular and co-curricular initiatives. The campaign was the largest in the College’s history, generating a record number of multimillion-dollar gifts, and far surpassed the campaign’s initial goal of $45 million.
Those who came to celebrate the new president included members of his family; Nichols leadership, faculty, staff and students; community members; and other guests such as Dr. Kenneth Clapp, an alumnus, former college chaplain, professor, vice president and interim president at Pieczynski’s alma mater, Catawba College.
The investiture ceremony, presided over by Chair of the Nichols College Board of Trustees Randy Becker ’83 MBA ’96, included calls to service and remarks by representatives from various constituencies of the college, including:
- Senior Vice President of Finance New York Life Insurance (ret.) and Nichols College Trustee David Bedard ’86, representing the Committee for the Future of Presidential Leadership (CFPL)
- Student Government Association President Louis Denison ’25, representing undergraduate students
- Boylston Town Administrator April Steward ’23 MBA/MSOL ’26, representing Nichols graduate school students
- Travelers Insurance Account Executive Officer (ret.) Michelle Austin ’77, representing alumni
- Dudley-Charlton Regional School District Superintendent Steven Lamarche, representing the local education committee
- Eagle Cleaning CEO Jeff Johnson ’90, representing the business community
- Associate Professor of Marketing, Criminal Justice Program Chair and MSC Program Chair Dr. Allison McDowell-Smith, representing faculty
- Facilities management staff member and plumber George Makara, representing Nichols College staff
The ceremony also included the singing of the “The Star-Spangled Banner” by Serena Kilsmith ’18; an invocation by Rev. Joseph Shea; singing of the Alma Mater by Lynn Looby ’17; and a benediction by Rev. John White. Provost Daniel Borgia served as Master of Ceremonies.
Messages of support were delivered throughout the calls to service. “Bill has a proven track record of outstanding leadership and loyalty to Nichols College having been a valuable member and contributor of the Nichols Family for over 17 years,” said Bedard, who also noted Pieczynski’s “calm, understated demeanor and his personal warmth and empathetic style.”
“To know Nichols is to know a community where the culture reflects not only academics, but [also] a tight-knit community,” said Denison in his remarks. “Bill has embraced this to a T. From his welcoming presence around campus to his engagement with every freshman PDS class, or even when he swapped his suit and tie for a Bison ball cap and sweatshirt as he took on the role of student for a day.”
The investiture ceremony was conducted by Becker, with special assistance from Pieczynski’s sister, Denise, and wife, Lana.
“Today, we gather to celebrate a man of genuine integrity, humility and compassion. We are confident that President Pieczynski will support the culture of Nichols and foster change that is both forward-thinking and deep-rooted in the College’s honored traditions,” said Becker, who also noted Pieczynski’s many accomplishments, from setting new standards of giving to securing contributions for new building projects to expanding experiential learning opportunities.
He then presented Pieczynski with the symbols of his office, including nineteenth-century specially embossed dishes and dematisse set with scenes of Nichols Academy; the academic gown, hood and cap; and the Presidential Medallion, featuring the College seal inscribed with its motto, Loyalty, Service, Culture.
To uproarious applause, Pieczynski gave his inaugural address.
“Now, this is a somewhat different investiture in that I am not a newly appointed president, still unboxing mementos or contemplating the quickest way to get from Conrad Hall to Vendetti Field. I have had the time to develop deep friendships here, to leverage a tenure that dates to 2006, and to understand the complexity of this institution at this moment in time. Indeed, when I was asked to pursue the presidency, I responded that I was eager to do whatever was best for the College.”
He praised the resilience of Nichols, noting its evolution throughout its history, dating back to 1815. “I am fortunate to lead a college that is comfortable in its own skin—always aware that we are a work in progress—but one that has confronted momentous change and has persevered.”
Turning to the challenges of educating students for a future and jobs that don’t yet exist, Pieczynski remarked that the school possesses a strong foundation for this task, with its “unabashedly” student-centered living and learning environment and unique experiential opportunities.
He cited what the College’s administrators casually refer to as the Nichols “triple threat,” where students complete an internship, receive a professional certification, and complete an experiential learning experience, as an area of focus and enhancement. He quoted higher education research that spoke of these kinds of experiences as “career game changers.”
Developing such experiential learning opportunities and academic differentiation, said Pieczynski, will be one of four short-term strategic priorities, alongside developing a robust budget model that drives net revenue growth; an institutional branding; and a better understanding of the College’s current culture in building toward a more supportive, collaborative and inclusive community.
Pieczynski closed his remarks with a direct appeal: “To the entire Nichols College community, I ask for your candor, optimism and trust. In return, I will offer the same. As president of Nichols, I will gather strength from our past and affirm my unwavering commitment and tireless effort as we pursue the bright promise of tomorrow.”
Concluding the day’s spirited events was a community celebration and Presidents’ Society Dinner.
About Nichols College
Nichols College has earned business accreditation from the prestigious Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International), the longest serving global accrediting body for business schools and the largest business education network connecting learners, educators, and businesses worldwide. Founded in 1815, Nichols College transforms today’s students into tomorrow’s leaders through a dynamic, career-focused business and professional education. Nichols offers real-world learning focused on professional depth – combined with vibrant living, competitive athletics, and an unmatched alumni advantage – equipping students to exceed their own expectations. To learn more about Nichols College, visit www.nichols.edu.
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