Matthews Inaugurated as 32nd President

Kicking off this year’s Homecoming and Fall Family Weekend, the Washington College community celebrated the inauguration of its 32nd president, Bryan Matthews ’75 M’86 P’12, only the second alum to hold the post.

New First Lady Sue Matthews congratulates her husband, President Bryan Matthews '75 M'86 P'12, on his inauguration.

 In a large tent set up on the Green outside William Smith Hall, hundreds of alumni, faculty, staff, students, and other supporters of Washington College gathered to celebrate President Bryan Matthews ’75 M’86 P’12, who is now officially the 32nd president to lead the institution.

Matthews served as the interim president for the 2025-26 academic year, after which the Board of Visitors and Governors named him to the post for a three-year contract. The event on Friday, Sept. 25 was a celebration of Matthews’ return home to Washington College, where he not only earned two degrees but has worked in a variety of positions for more than 25 years.

“Washington College is a local, state, and national treasure,” Matthews said in his brief remarks between a reception and an evening of dancing. “I am very grateful for this opportunity and this privilege of serving our college. I’m grateful for the opportunity to be in the arena to fight this fight. There is no greater purpose I could have in my life.”

Matthews told the crowd that moving Washington College forward would take the efforts of everyone present, but he then quickly concluded his remarks so the evening could be a celebration before the work began.

The inauguration was the first event of the 2026 Homecoming and Fall Family Weekend, which featured alumni athletic events, reunions, networking events, and student presentations. View and download photos from the weekend on the Homecoming webpage.

Peter Maller, treasurer of the Board of Visitors and Governors, was among the speakers at the inauguration, providing a summary of Matthews’ life and career at Washington College, which he has served previously as a lacrosse coach, athletic director, assistant to the president for special projects, associate vice president for administrative services, and interim vice president and dean of students.

“He has spent his career creating opportunities for others,” Maller said. “He has coached young people, mentored colleagues, led teams and departments, and served Washington College in ways both visible and behind the scenes.” 

Watch all of the remarks from President Matthews' Inauguration on YouTube.

— Mark Jolly-Van Bodegraven