Vermont Governor's Inaugural Ball held at Norwich
During formal ceremonies, which took place on a raised stage, Dr. Richard W. Schneider, president of Norwich University, presented The Honorable James H. Douglas, Vermont's newly elected governor, with an official Norwich hockey game jersey, with "DOUGLAS" emblazoned across the back. "You're a Middlebury grad, so we know you're a hockey fan," quipped President Schneider. The evening's formalities concluded with a toast to the gubernatorial couple, led by Lieutenant Governor Brian Dubie, after which the Douglases danced the first dance. The Douglases, the Dubies, Adjutant General Martha Rainville, and State Treasurer Jeb Spaulding and his wife, Susan, graciously received the more than 1400 friends, supporters and constituents who were on hand to celebrate the occasion.
In last November's election, the former republican Vermont State Treasurer narrowly defeated Lieutenant Governor Douglas Racine in the race to replace Governor Howard Dean, who vacated his post to pursue the Democratic presidential nomination. Douglas, who attended Middlebury College, is Vermont's first new governor in eleven years. dweggler@norwich.edu, January 2003 |
NORTHFIELD,
Vt. - A festooned Plumley Armory was the scene of the Governor's Inaugural
Ball, held Saturday, January 11 at Norwich University. 
The
evening gala, which was elegantly catered by Sodexho services, featured
an ice sculpture of the State House, music by the Vermont Jazz Ensemble,
and vocal performances by The Half Steps barbershop quartet and
Sounding Joy. Net proceeds from the event supported the alcohol
and drug rehabilitation and prevention programs of the United Ways of
Vermont.