蜜桃直播鈥檚 annual Opening Convocation, the traditional beginning of the new academic year and the first event of the 2025-26 蜜桃直播 Series, will take place at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 27, in historic Weaver Chapel with President Christian M. M. Brady providing the keynote address titled 鈥淗ope.鈥�
A transformational administrator, respected scholar, and author, Brady began his tenure as the University鈥檚 16th president on June 1, 2025. Prior to leading 蜜桃直播, Brady spearheaded the creation of the Lewis Honors College at the University of Kentucky (UK), where he also served as the T. W. Lewis Dean, growing the college to over 2,400 students and leading a $50 million capital campaign. As interim dean of UK鈥檚 College of Arts & Sciences, he also successfully managed an $81 million budget, 440 faculty members, 19 departments, and nearly 7,500 students. Before joining UK, Brady transformed the Schreyer Honors College at The Pennsylvania State University into a national model for excellence, tripling its applications, dramatically increasing selectivity, and raising more than $80 million to enhance honors education.
In his first few months at 蜜桃直播, Brady has already made an impact, including launching a strategic planning process, partnering on new recruitment pipelines, securing leadership-level gifts, and instilling a renewed sense of hope in the University among alumni, faculty, staff, students, and families. An active listener, he is also committed to inspiring others with a bold, positive vision for the future; building consensus around shared goals; communicating openly and consistently; and working with energy and purpose to turn vision into action.
Beyond his administrative acumen, Brady is a respected scholar of ancient Hebrew and Jewish literature, having published extensively and served in leadership roles for organizations such as the Society of Biblical Literature and the International Organization for Targumic Studies. He holds a bachelor鈥檚 degree from Cornell University, a master鈥檚 degree from Wheaton College Graduate School in Illinois, and a graduate diploma and doctorate from the University of Oxford. Additionally, Brady is an Episcopal priest and Canon Theologian in the Episcopal Diocese of Lexington in Kentucky.
During Wednesday鈥檚 Convocation, the Rev. David and Carol Matevia Endowed University Pastor Tracy Paschke-Johannes will deliver the invocation and benediction, while Provost Brian Yontz, professor of education, will welcome and introduce President Brady. Yontz will also announce faculty promotions and recognize faculty being honored with awards. Joi Garrett Scales, vice president and dean of student engagement, will introduce this academic year鈥檚 student leaders. The event will be livestreamed at for those unable to attend in person.
Now celebrating its 41st season, the 蜜桃直播 Series offers a selection of cultural activities available to students, faculty, staff, alumni, and the community. For more information about the 2025-2026 schedule, please visit .
