Alison Byerly Becomes First Female President of Lafayette

Lafayette College President Alison Byerly has been in office since July, but her title became official Friday in a ceremony naming her the 17th person—and first woman—to lead the Easton school.

“I am excited at the opportunity to lead an institution that I believe can make a significant mark in the changing higher ed landscape,” she said in her inaugural address Friday afternoon.

She said the school needs to continue to be a place "that integrates their academic, social, and professional development into a seamless experience and coherent pathway."

Several past Lafayette presidents attended the ceremony, as did Easton Mayor Sal Panto, who called on Byerly to continue to strengthen the bond between the city and the college.

"You have my pledge that we will work with you to make sure Lafayette grows even farther and higher and that our city-college relations continue to be a model for others to emulate," Panto said.

Her arrival comes at a time when Lafayette is expanding into downtown Easton with a new film and media school planned for North Third Street.

Before Lafayette, Byerly served as provost at Middlebury College in Vermont, and has been a visiting scholar at MIT, Stanford and Oxford.