Catherine E. Pugh expressed sincere gratitude for her alma mater, as she was sworn as Baltimore City’s 50th mayor, Tuesday morning.
Pugh, Morgan State University alumna, was surrounded by not only family, dignitaries and political leaders in the state of Maryland, she was also surrounded by MSU president David Wilson and the choir.
Morgan State’s renowned choir was invited to sing the National Anthem and provided musical interlude during the mayor’s Inaugural Ceremony at the War Memorial Building. The choir paid tribute to rapper Common and R&B artist John Legend by performing their hit “Glory” from the 2014 “Selma” motion picture soundtrack. The group closed by performing “God Bless America” to the applause of the men and women in the armed services in attendance.
Distinguished speakers like former mayor Kurt Schmoke and Congress Rep. Elijah E. Cummings commemorated Pugh on her journey to the pinnacle of the Baltimore political hierarchy.
Maryland Court of Appeals Rep. Shirley M. Watts proceeded to swear Pugh into office, as her brothers James and Ardell Crump accompanied her.
As Pugh took to the podium to give her Inaugural speech, she thanked everyone, from Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan to former mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake. After committing to change and progress for the city, Pugh reminded everyone of her experiences at MSU.
“I tell folks that Morgan State University is where I grew up,” said Pugh “They instilled in us character and behavior that we were to exhibit all our lives.”
Morgan State President David Wilson was in attendance, getting a personal salute from the Mayor, as well as the choir.
“We at Morgan State University are very, very proud of her,” said Wilson “She has accumulated an impressive array of experiences along the way that have put her in a great position to be an outstanding mayor of the city of Baltimore.”
