Installation of Our 18th Head of School
Dr. Karen C. Lassey
On October 16, 2025, the Emma community gathered on Mount Ida to celebrate the installation of Dr. Karen C. Lassey as the 18th in a legacy of distinguished leaders of Emma Willard School.
Experience the Celebration
From panel discussions on student thriving and empowering young women to lead, to the pomp and circumstance of the installation ceremony and an evening finale concert, the day was punctuated with joyful laughter and connection.
![Panel Discussion: Thriving Students]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1760984106/emmawillardorg/m74ejvxbm1klklsf9z29/EWS_4966_fnl.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1760984106/emmawillardorg/m74ejvxbm1klklsf9z29/EWS_4966_fnl.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1760984106/emmawillardorg/m74ejvxbm1klklsf9z29/EWS_4966_fnl.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1760984106/emmawillardorg/m74ejvxbm1klklsf9z29/EWS_4966_fnl.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1760984106/emmawillardorg/m74ejvxbm1klklsf9z29/EWS_4966_fnl.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1760984106/emmawillardorg/m74ejvxbm1klklsf9z29/EWS_4966_fnl.jpg","width":1620}])
In celebrating Dr. Lassey’s headship, the Emma Willard community was invited to learn from the wisdom of experts in the first of two panel discussions, focused on the theme “Thriving Students: Integrating Academic Excellence and Wellbeing.”
![Panel Discussion: Rising Leaders]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1760986926/emmawillardorg/i606mcsbqbao6b7avsfn/EWS_5202_fnl_1.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1760986926/emmawillardorg/i606mcsbqbao6b7avsfn/EWS_5202_fnl_1.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1760986926/emmawillardorg/i606mcsbqbao6b7avsfn/EWS_5202_fnl_1.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1760986926/emmawillardorg/i606mcsbqbao6b7avsfn/EWS_5202_fnl_1.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1760986926/emmawillardorg/i606mcsbqbao6b7avsfn/EWS_5202_fnl_1.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1760986926/emmawillardorg/i606mcsbqbao6b7avsfn/EWS_5202_fnl_1.jpg","width":1620}])
The second panel discussion of Installation Day featured a conversation about empowering girls and women to lead.
![Dr. Karen Lassey Accepts the Trust]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1760986516/emmawillardorg/vpv8wu2ewj2tbukkk09z/EWS_5513_fnl_1.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1760986516/emmawillardorg/vpv8wu2ewj2tbukkk09z/EWS_5513_fnl_1.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1760986516/emmawillardorg/vpv8wu2ewj2tbukkk09z/EWS_5513_fnl_1.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1760986516/emmawillardorg/vpv8wu2ewj2tbukkk09z/EWS_5513_fnl_1.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1760986516/emmawillardorg/vpv8wu2ewj2tbukkk09z/EWS_5513_fnl_1.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1760986516/emmawillardorg/vpv8wu2ewj2tbukkk09z/EWS_5513_fnl_1.jpg","width":1620}])
After thanking those in attendance who have shaped her life and leadership, in addition to trustees, honorary trustees, faculty, students, and families, Dr. Lassey shared the following remarks in acceptance of the trust placed in her:
![Concert Brings Together Emma Willard, Albany Symphony, and ESYO]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1760986280/emmawillardorg/epaanfq0s0cax3honlpf/8G7A0084.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1760986280/emmawillardorg/epaanfq0s0cax3honlpf/8G7A0084.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1760986280/emmawillardorg/epaanfq0s0cax3honlpf/8G7A0084.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1760986280/emmawillardorg/epaanfq0s0cax3honlpf/8G7A0084.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1760986280/emmawillardorg/epaanfq0s0cax3honlpf/8G7A0084.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1760986280/emmawillardorg/epaanfq0s0cax3honlpf/8G7A0084.jpg","width":2200}])
The evening culminated in a musical performance which brought together musicians from the Emma Willard School faculty, the Albany Symphony Orchestra, and the conductor of the Empire State Youth Orchestra.
The Ceremony
The procession of faculty and esteemed guests departs LeFort Atrium, led by senior class president Stacy C. carrying the mace, which symbolizes the authority of the head of school.
The City of Albany Pipe Band provided processional music for the formal entrance of faculty and distinguished guests.
Julia Howard Bush Chair in the Arts Dr. Debra Spiro-Allen leads the Inner Choir in singing Adriano Banchieri's "Come Celebrate This Day" to open the ceremony.
Board Chair Megan Toohey Scremin ’00 welcomes the packed audience, recognizing guests of honor, saying, "This moment brings us together to celebrate what makes our school so special: our passion for learning, our belief in one another, and that amazing Emma spirit that connects us all."
The Honorable Carmella Mantello, mayor of the City of Troy, spoke of the special, historic relationship between Emma Willard School and its host city. "Emma Willard has long been one of Troy's greatest treasures, a beacon of academic excellence, innovation, and empowerment...advancing the education of young women, preparing them to become leaders, changemakers, and visionaries across every field imaginable."
Dr. Kendra Stearns O'Donnell ’60 P’88 invoked the words of Emma Hart Willard's "A Plan for Improving Female Education" in her remarks, quoting: “Education should seek to bring its subjects to the perfection of their moral, intellectual, and physical nature: in order that they may be of the greatest possible use to themselves and others...”
Russell Weatherspoon, who worked closely with Dr. Lassey at Phillips Exeter Academy, shared of "her clear thinking, patience, careful listening to different views, keen personal sense of what is right, and close attention to the people involved in any situation."
Class President Stacy C. ’26 bestows the head of school's medallion on Dr. Lassey. It bears the likeness of Emma Hart Willard, the lamp of learning, and the motto, Semper Fidelis, always faithful.
President of the Alumnae Association Council Maggie Bownes Johnson ’83 gathered well-wishes from the alumnae community: "Karen, on your journey, you will continue to hear the stories of friendship’s alchemy sparked in the most ordinary of circumstances."
Class Presidents Stacy C. ’26, Sophia A. ’27, and Lauren F. ’28 present a handmade wooden box, designed and crafted by Ava V. ’26, to Dr. Lassey. It contains the hopes and dreams of students, faculty, and staff.
As a special treat, Dr. Lassey sang a solo from Revels and was joined by members of the senior class in leading the crowd in the iconic Branles: "So sing and dance through history, this is the time for revelry!"
Under the direction of Adjunct Orchestra Instructor Liz Silver, the Chamber Orchestra accompanied the crowd in singing the alma mater to close the ceremony.
View the Ceremony
To view the Installation Ceremony in its entirety, you are invited to watch the full recording from the live stream.