Coleman inauguration a celebration for the University and communities

ANN ARBOR, Mich.—Mary Sue Coleman will be inaugurated as the 13th president of the University of Michigan on March 27 in a day of celebration designed to bring together the students, faculty and staff of the University, as well as the community.

Inauguration ceremony
The day begins at 10 a.m. in Crisler Arena with the formal installation of the president by the U-M Board of Regents. Nearly 100 delegates from colleges and universities within Michigan, and from national and international institutions of higher education, will join with the regents, deans and executive officers in a formal processional at the start of the ceremony.

"The planning committee is offering an enthusiastic invitation to the campus community and citizens from the surrounding communities to attend this very special moment in the history of the University," said Chacona Johnson, chair of the committee. "It promises to be a meaningful event celebrating the investiture of a new president, as we build upon our rich continuity of leadership."

Johnson noted that Crisler Arena offers ample seating and plenty of parking for the campus community and area residents to attend. "We encourage people to be seated in Crisler by 9:45 a.m., so they can witness the pageantry of the academic procession as it moves into the Arena, followed by what we anticipate will be a stimulating program," Johnson said.

Following her formal installation, Coleman will deliver the traditional President's Address. The featured speaker will be James S. Jackson, the Daniel Katz Distinguished University Professor of Psychology, director of the U-M Center for Afroamerican and African Studies, and director of the Research Center for Group Dynamics and the Program
for Research on Black Americans.

Members of the University Symphonic and Concert Bands conducted by Damon Talley, and the Men's Glee Club, led by Stephen Lusmann, will provide festive and formal music. The ceremony is expected to be a little more than an hour in duration.

Academic symposium
The inauguration day celebration continues at 2:30 p.m. in the Power Center for the Performing Arts with an academic symposium, "For a University of the World."

Michael Kennedy, vice provost for international affairs, professor of sociology and director of the International Institute, will serve as moderator. "We believe that the comprehensive global university not only connects the world; it recognizes the value of understanding its diversity," Kennedy said. "The symposium participants will explore how understanding different publics across the world challenge us to rethink the priorities and possibilities of American higher education."

Symposium panelists will be: Gary M. Olson, Paul M. Fitts Collegiate Professor of Human Computer Interaction, professor and the associate dean for research in the School of Information and professor of psychology; C.K. Prahalad, the Harvey C. Fruehauf Professor of Business Administration; William Rosenberg, the Alfred G. Meyer Professor of History and president of the American Association for the Advancement of Slavic Studies; and Amy Ku'uleialoha Stillman, associate professor of music and and american culture, and director, Asian-Pacific Islander Studies within the Program in American Culture.

Reception
The day concludes with a public reception at the President's House, 815 South University Avenue, 4:30-6:30 p.m. "We encourage University students, faculty and staff to take this opportunity to greet President Coleman at the President's House. We hope that as many of the campus community as possible will attend this festive ending to an historic day in the life of the University," Johnson said.

With the exception of a luncheon for visiting delegates, all of the day's events are free and open to the public.

President Coleman's website >

Contact: Joel Seguine
Phone: (734) 936-6396
E-mail: jseguine@umich.edu