President Lee Bollinger’s inauguration on Sept. 19

ANN ARBOR—An arts and humanities symposium, a 5-K run/walk, a giant outdoor celebration and a ceremonial procession through the center of campus are among activities planned for the inauguration of Lee C. Bollinger as the 12th president of the University of Michigan on Sept. 19.

Bollinger was selected by the U-M Regents on Nov. 5, 1996, and assumed the responsibilities of the office on Feb. 1.

All segments of the University community, along with visiting delegates and distinguished guests, will participate in the day-long schedule of inaugural festivities on Sept. 19.

“Inaugurations are important events in the life of a university community,” said Walter Harrison, U-M vice president for university relations, who chaired the planning committee for the inauguration. “They afford us the occasion to look forward to a future full of promise and look back on a rich tradition of human accomplishment and triumph.

“Our committee has tried very deliberately to make this an occasion for the entire University community—faculty, staff, students, and alumni—to enjoy. We hope as many people as possible will join us in celebrating Lee Bollinger’s presidency and in celebrating ourselves as a vibrant learning community.”

Inauguration activities will begin at 7:30 a.m. with a 5-K run/walk with the president, a long-time runner. The event, which will include members of the U-M men’s and women’s cross country teams, will start in the parking lot near the intersection of Beal Avenue and Glazier Way on North Campus. Run/walk participants can park in the visitor lot south of the Art and Architecture Building and sign up the day of the event beginning at 7:15 a.m.

The installation ceremony, at 10:30 a.m. in Hill Auditorium on the Central Campus, will be preceded by an academic procession of some 300 invited individuals. It will start from the Rackhman Building at 10:15 a.m. and split into two groups, with one going around the east side of the Diag and the other along State Street. The two groups will merge at the center of the Diag and proceed to Hill Auditorium. Music for the procession will be provided by Margo Halsted, University carillonist, from the Baird Carillon in Burton Tower.

At the installation ceremony, speakers will include Bollinger and Harold T. Shapiro, former U-M president and now president of Princeton University. Other participants include Paul C. Boylan, vice provost for academic affairs and dean of the School of Music; Nancy Cantor, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs; members of the Board of Regents; Louis G. D’Alecy, chair of the faculty Senate Advisory Committee on University Affairs; Michael Nagrant, president of the Michigan Student Assembly; Anne R. Reeves, representative of graduate student government; Nathan Norman, manager of Building Services; Calvin Jay Tobin, president of the Alumni Association; and State Sen. John J.H. Schwarz (R-Battle Creek). Regent Andrea Fischer Newman will present greetings from Gov. John Engler.

Among the special features of the ceremony will be the performance by the Symphony Band of “Fanfare for a New President,” composed for the occasion by William Bolcom, the Ross Fee Finney Distinguished University Professor of Music. Musical selections during the ceremony will be presented by University Organist Marilyn Mason; Kimberly Haynes, vocalist, Symphony Band; Women’s Glee Club; and Men’s Glee Club.

From noon to 2 p.m., an outdoor reception will be held on Ingalls Mall adjacent to Hill Auditorium. Included will be food and refreshments and performances by a number of student groups, including a jazz quartet, dance group, and steel band. In the event of rain, the reception will be cancelled and all food and beverages will be donated to Food Gatherers of Ann Arbor for distribution to shelters and other non-profit organizations.

Another special feature will be an arts and humanities symposium, 3-5 p.m., in the Rackham Auditorium. The symposium, “Turning a New Leaf,” will inaugurate the Year of Humanities and Arts (YoHA) at the U-M. Goals for YoHA include celebrating scholarship, performance and creativity in the humanities and arts; encouraging new partnerships among faculty and students working in these fields; and strengthening the community of learners in the arts and humanities.

Participants in the symposium will include Ian Grandison of the School of Natural Resources and Environment; Ching Yau of the Program in Film and Video Studies; June Howard of the Department of English, the Program in American Culture, and Women’ Studies Program; Michael Daugherty of the School of Music; James Cogswell of the School of Art and Design; and Peter Sparling of the School of Music.

The installation ceremony is free but tickets are required. They will be distributed, on a first-come, first-served basis, to faculty, students and staff at the Michigan Union Ticket Office, Sept. 11-19, 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Monday-Friday, and 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday. Tickets for the general public will be distributed 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Sept. 17-19. Tickets will be limited to two per person.

Lee C. BollingerNancy CantorYear of Humanities and ArtsU-M News and Information ServicesUniversity of Michigan