January’s “Presidential Trappings “series, presented by New Canaan Library and the New Canaan Museum & Historical Society, continues Tuesday, January 12 at 7 PM EST with Ronald Schurin, PhD, Associate Professor in Residence in the Department of Political Science at the University of Connecticut, examining the history of inaugurations. The four-part series continues Tuesdays throughout January. Please visit newcanaanlibrary.org for a full schedule and to register. Zoom sign in information will be provided upon registration; each session must be registered for individually.
As a nation, we have experienced 53 formal Presidential inaugurations since 1789 and another nine subdued ceremonies in which vice presidents took the place of presidents due to death or resignation. Some were moments of drama, many were forgotten quickly, and a few stand out as pivotal moments in American history. In this lecture, Professor Schurin will examine the four categories that our 62 inaugurations fit into– ritual of orderly transition, moment of reassurance, sign of dramatic change—or something else? Attendees will also learn about special topics such as security issues in wartime, presidential health and stamina, and the tradition of outgoing and incoming presidents riding together.
Ronald Schurin is Associate Professor in Residence in the Department of Political Science at the University of Connecticut, where he teaches courses on American political parties, Connecticut politics, education policy, and politics and literature. A native of New York, he holds a Master in Public Affairs degree from Princeton University and a Ph.D in Political Science from The City University of New York, where his dissertation focused on Franklin Roosevelt’s efforts to transform the American party system. Prior to joining UConn, Schurin served in the Department of Health, Education and Welfare during the Carter administration and at CUNY. At UConn, in addition to his faculty role, he has served as Chief of Staff to the President. Outside of academia he has engaged in citizen-level political activity, serving on the Mansfield Town Council and the local board of education. In 2012, Schurin was one of Connecticut’s seven presidential electors.