SHERMAN – Warmth and good humor flooded over the crowd in Austin College's Wynne Chapel on Thursday as the small liberal arts school officially welcomed its 15th president and first female leader.

"I am overwhelmed with delight on this special day in honor of Austin College's remarkable past and glorious future," Marjorie Hass said.

Peyton Randolph Helm, president of Muhlenberg College, where Hass previously was provost, said Hass is uniquely qualified to lead Austin College.

Robert Johnson, chairman of the Austin College Board of Trustees, praised Hass' energy and enthusiasm. Others noted her ability to draw students and faculty into everything from casual conversations to serious decision-making processes.

Hass said she and the college community have started working on a five- to 10-year strategic plan. The plan will probably be ready for public discussion in the spring, she said.

Thursday's ceremony was Hass' official introduction to the college, but she said she has felt welcome at the college since arriving in July.

Hass was appointed the first provost of Muhlenberg, in Allentown, Pa., in 2004. Before that, she was interim dean of the college for faculty and vice president for academic affairs.

For three years, she also was director of Muhlenberg's Center for Ethics.

She started her career at Muhlenberg in 1993 as assistant professor of philosophy. She was promoted to associate professor in 1998 before becoming a full professor in 2006.

Hass earned a bachelor's, a master's and a doctorate in philosophy at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

She and her husband, Larry, have two teenage children, Cameron and Jessica.

Jerrie Whiteley is an assistant city editor and reporter for the Herald Democrat in Sherman.