BEAT
BERKLEE INAUGURATES PRESIDENT JIM LUCCHESE
BY TORI DONAHUE
Berklee marked a new era of its leadership on Thurs- day, October 30, 2025, inaugurating Jim Lucchese as the institution’s fifth president. Held at the Berklee Performance Center, the event brought together students, faculty, alumni, and campus leaders for a program celebrating creativity, con- nection, and the role of music in shaping the future. In his remarks, Lucchese affirmed Berklee’s commitment to listening to its students, learning from their creativity, and keeping its focus fixed on what’s next. He also expressed gratitude for the support he has received during his presidency so far. “I’m thankful to have found a home here,” he said. “A home that makes a place and space for such a diverse range of exceptional people, all trying to keep creativity at the center of their life in one way or another. I’m grateful to be a part of that.” Lucchese went on to highlight Berklee’s dis- tinctive role in higher education, underscoring vocation as a shared value among students, faculty, and alumni. He noted that while many institutions frame vocation as something students must dis- cover, Berklee draws those for whom creative work is already a calling. “If you're here, that’s not a problem. If you’re here, it found you. You’re pur- suing your art because you have to, and it creates a special connection. Our faculty see that calling in our students, and our students see themselves in their teachers.”
He also reflected on the power of music to restore and uplift, citing research that shows how music can support recovery for people living with stroke-related conditions or dementia. In a deeply divided world, he emphasized, music plays a vital role in fostering empathy and human connection. “That’s our students’ gift: the ability to heal and bring people together,” he said. Lucchese concluded by outlining three stra- tegic pillars that will shape Berklee’s future: afford- ability, careers, and sustainability. Acknowledging the challenges facing creative industries, from technological disruption to economic uncertainty, he struck an optimistic tone about Berklee’s role in helping students navigate what comes next. The ceremony also included remarks from campus leaders and performances by students, faculty, and alumni. Highlights included a per- formance by the boundary-pushing jazz trio the Fringe and a student-led medley dedicated to Lucchese’s eclectic musical taste, featuring music ranging from Jimi Hendrix and the Roots to Prince and Claude Debussy. The program concluded with a high-octane trio of Tower of Power songs performed by the Berklee Inauguration All-Star Band, with Lucchese on drums.
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