Looking out over the crowd gathered in Liberty Arena on Oct. 16, Cory Bridges thought all the pomp and circumstance was nice, but perhaps a bit overdone for his “Little League coach.” The punchline? That coach was his father, Steven, and the pomp celebrated the longtime University of Southern Indiana employee’s inauguration as the college’s fifth president.
Known for his sense of humor, Bridges didn’t let his son crack the day’s only joke: Standing at the podium to deliver his inaugural address, Bridges said that the ceremony felt like “an academic wedding, and they told me that I was the bride.”
Bridges, who was hired by USI as a staff accountant after earning his bachelor’s degree in 1989, rose in the ranks to Vice President for Finance and Administration before being named interim president in July 2024 upon Ron Rochon’s departure to assume the presidency at California State University, Fullerton. USI’s Board of Trustees announced Bridges as Rochon’s permanent successor in April 2025. Rochon was on hand Oct. 16, along with prior presidents Ray Hoops and Linda Bennett, to invest Bridges as USI’s fifth president.
The inauguration program acknowledged USI’s significant role in the region — such as a musical performance of a medley of songs representing Indiana, Kentucky, and Illinois — and nodded at the Bridges family’s faith. Running throughout was an undercurrent of pride at a USI graduate and fellow employee being named president, with salutations and remarks from Faculty Senate Chair Kyle Mara, Board of Trustees Chair Christina Ryan, Master of Ceremonies and Marketing and Communication Vice President Kindra Strupp, and more expressing praise for Bridges’ teamwork, leadership, and work ethic.
Bridges’ inaugural address illuminated his upward path. The son of a farmer, Bridges is a first-generation college student. “This university was built to serve students like me: first-generation, limited resources, seeking an affordable education close to home, working while studying, and committed to making a difference in their own community,” he said. “… I came here with purpose, and today is the pinnacle of that decision.”
The Henderson, Kentucky, native called himself a proud West Sider who admires USI’s grit and determination. “USI continues to shine as a beacon of grit, hospitality, and creativity,” he said. “… Together, we will build, we will serve, and we will thrive, all on purpose.”
