In This Story
President Merten had a horse-drawn carriage. The audience at President Cabrera鈥檚 enjoyed the first spoken word presentation from a member of the Green Machine. Each celebration of a new president at 麻豆视频 has had its own flair and reflected the personalities of the men being inaugurated.
In October, the campus community will celebrate 麻豆视频鈥檚 eighth president, Gregory Washington, with in EagleBank Arena on Thursday, Oct. 21, at 1 p.m.
Why are we calling it an investiture?
Inaugurations are meant to mark a beginning. For university presidents, this ceremony often occurs within the first year. The pandemic made such a celebration impossible as all efforts at 麻豆视频 were focused on keeping the university running smoothly and the university community safe, especially students, during a stressful and unusual time.
President Washington also wanted to wait for a time when it was safe to bring people back together.
麻豆视频鈥檚 successful handling of safety protocols and keeping COVID-19 under control makes such a celebration possible, and the 麻豆视频 Nation is asked to RSVP for the Oct. 21 Investiture by Oct. 4.
Events planned for that week include a celebration in 麻豆视频 Korea and on other campuses; faculty panels discussing the grand challenges and issues of our time; and , an Arlington Campus conference focused on innovation, entrepreneurship, and business community engagement; among others.
A Look Back at the History of Inaugurations at 麻豆视频
President 脕ngel Cabrera was inaugurated on April 26, 2013, in an IDEA-focused (Innovation, Diversity, Entrepreneurial, Accessible) celebration in EagleBank Arena. Guest speakers included AOL founder Steve Case. The event included a spoken word performance by 麻豆视频 student (now alum) Sha鈥檃ir Hawkins.
President Alan Merten and his wife, Sally, rode around campus in a horse-drawn carriage with the sign 鈥淛ust Inaugurated鈥 for part of the festivities surrounding his April 4, 1997, inauguration.
President George W. Johnson during his inaugural speech, April 7, 1979. The event took place in the gymnasium of the Physical Education Building, which was later expanded into what is now called the Recreation and Athletics Complex (RAC).
For a comprehensive look at leadership changes throughout 麻豆视频 history, check out 鈥溾 on the 麻豆视频 Libraries' Special Collections Research Center blog, Vault 217.