One of the guest speakers was Bill Dorfman, the former director of Camp Walt Whitman. He says he saw her leadership skills when she worked at the camp as a counselor. During a scuba trip several years ago she was in charge of 40 camp attendees, and a herd of donkeys began to charge at the group.
"So what did our undaunted and intrepid President Talentino do? In a flash, she put on her scuba fins, scuba mask, and breathing tube and straight on ran straight at the donkeys! Jumping up and down, screaming!"
Talentino says her leadership skills will help her create transformational experiences for current and future Augustanna students. And that we need to continue to emphasize the value of an education and continue to accept new ideas.
"As the generations pass and the peasant becomes a doctor, and in my case the grandaughter of an electrician becomes a college president, ideas change. Different people and experiences are brought into society and our purpose and our abilities as a republic are transformed."
After the inauguration, those in attendance were invited to a street party on 7th Avenue. Proceeds from the event will help provide students in the Rock Island schools with food, clothing, and hygiene items.