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The group, under the direction of Wabash Professor of Music Larry Bennett, shared the stage with a host of state dignitaries, including Governor and Mrs. Frank O'Bannon, Lt. Governor Joe Kernan, and former Indiana Governor and Mrs. Robert Orr.
State Supreme Court Justice Randall T. Shepard swore in Rokita and Rokita's fellow Republican office holders— auditor Connie Nass, treasurer Tim Berry, and clerk of the Supreme Court Brian Bishop, all serving second terms.
"It's a good day for Wabash, and a very good day for Indiana," said attorney Bob Grand ’78, who served as finance chairman for the Rokita campaign. Greeting Glee Club members at the door during a reception for the new Secretary of State was Davey Neal ’01, another of many Wabash grads who worked to propel Rokita into the third highest office in the state.
The Glee Club sang a prelude of patriotic songs, and the group's stirring rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner" after the formal swearing-in brought enthusiastic applause from the hundreds gathered in the statehouse for the ceremony.