WORCESTER, Mass. - Assumption University made history Thursday by formally inaugurating Greg Weiner school’s 17th president.

Weiner first joined Assumption in 2011 as an assistant professor of political science. In 2019, he became the school’s provost and vice president of academic affairs. Weiner was elected as Assumption’s president last October after serving six months as interim president.

It's a significant move by the school, as Weiner is the first Jewish person to serve as president of a catholic college or university in the United States.

"Catholic intellectual tradition and catholic education at its best speaks to everyone, people of all faiths, all backgrounds,” Weiner said. “So it certainly speaks to me, and I'm looking forward to helping advance that mission."

Special guests at Thursday’s inauguration included Worcester bishop Robert McManus and rabbi Aviva Fellman, who bestowed a special blessing on Weiner during the inauguration ceremony.