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President's inauguration is Monday at Miller AuditoriumMarch 20, 2008 KALAMAZOO--College presidents and faculty from around the state and nation will join with area political and business leaders and members of the Western Michigan University community Monday, March 24, for the inauguration on campus of WMU's eighth president, Dr. John M. Dunn.
The ceremony, set for 4 p.m. in Miller Auditorium, will formally install Dunn as president, a position he assumed July 1. The event is free and open to the public. While tickets were initially required to monitor numbers and ensure seating for invitees, Miller officials say there will be ample seating available for anyone who wants to attend. To make it more convenient for those who have not yet requested tickets, the ticket requirement has been waived. Kenneth V. Miller of Kalamazoo, chair of the WMU Board of Trustees who led the nationwide presidential search that resulted in Dunn's selection, will preside as master of ceremonies. The event will begin with a formal academic procession that will include WMU faculty, staff and administration as well as invited guests from institutions around the state and nation. The ceremony will feature remarks by Dunn as well as brief tributes voiced by community and campus leaders. Offering greetings Michigan Sen. Thomas M. George WMU President Emeritus Diether H. Haenicke Bobby J. Hopewell, mayor of Kalamazoo, and Peter J. Strazdas, mayor of Portage WMU student leaders Rosana Alsaud, chair of the Graduate Student Advisory Committee, and Christopher J. Praedel, president of the Western Student Association Employee group leaders Michele C. McLaughlin, president of the Administrative Professional Association, and Carrie A. Soule, president of the Professional Support Staff Organization Faculty leaders Dr. Mary D. Lagerway, president of the Faculty Senate and Dr. Paul T. Wilson, president of the WMU chapter of the American Association of University Professors. Musical tributes Musical tributes and presentations will be provided by the Western Brass Ensemble, with opening trumpet fanfare by faculty soloists Dr. Stephen G. Jones and Scott W. Thornburg, and by the University Chorale, which is under the direction of Dr. James K. Bass. Reception A reception in the Grand Tier Lobby of the auditorium will immediately follow the ceremony. Dr. John M. Dunn Prior to coming to WMU, Dunn served as interim chancellor at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. Before accepting that appointment, he held the position of provost and vice chancellor at SIUC. Dunn's career also has included academic leadership positions at the University of Utah and Oregon State University. An educator for more than 30 years, he is internationally known for his research and writing about the long-term health of individuals with disabilities, Dunn is the author of more than 50 professional papers and book chapters. He also is president this year of the American Academy of Kinesiology and Physical Education. Media contact: Cheryl Roland, (269) 387-8400, cheryl.roland@wmich.edu WMU News |
