Michigan State University students, faculty, staff, alumni and dignitaries will gather to celebrate the investiture of MSU’s 22nd president, Kevin M. Guskiewicz, Ph.D., at 2 p.m. on Sept. 29 at Wharton Center’s Cobb Great Hall.
Presidential investitures are typically held in a leader’s first year in office to publicly and formally “vest” them with the authority of the office and acknowledge, introduce and celebrate the new leader.
Investitures also represent continuity, connecting a university’s present with its past and allowing new leaders an opportunity to express their vision for the institution’s future.
Guskiewicz, a noted academic leader and neuroscientist, embarked on a 52-stop listening and learning tour of MSU’s colleges and major administrative units during the first several months of his presidency. These visits underscored for the president the student-focused, passionately public work that happens at MSU every day.
Drawing on his meetings with Spartans and stakeholders, President Guskiewicz will lay out his vision for the university, including several signature initiatives that will help accelerate Michigan State’s forward momentum.
The ceremony will begin with an academic procession and performance by the MSU Wind Symphony, followed by remarks from Board of Trustees Chair Dan Kelly, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (via video recording), Michigan House Speaker Joe Tate, University of Southern California President Carol Folt and University of Utah College of Health Dean Emeritus David Perrin.
The program also will include video greetings to the president from the presidents of the Associated Students of Michigan State University and the Council of Graduate Students as well as from several other campus leaders.
Participants wear a traditional academic robe and often a doctoral hood with colors and symbolism signifying the wearer’s college or university, area of study, degree level or university rank.
Symbols of office seen at investitures include the university seal, the university mace and medallions of office worn by the president and trustees.
Following speaker remarks, President Guskiewicz will be formally installed in office and presented with the university mace. The president will then offer his address to the audience before closing remarks.
How to get involved
A webpage for the investiture offers more information about the celebration, including how to RSVP to attend and how to access the livestream for remote viewing.