A tradition at NKU and many other American universities, presidential installations are formal academic events that honor the past and look to the future that awaits the university's new president.
NKU President Dr. Cady Short-Thompson will be the seventh university president to undergo a formal installation ceremony on Friday, April 26 at 2:00 p.m. at Trust Arena. All members of the NKU community are invited, including faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community partners.
short thompson Appointed as the 7th president of NKU in September 2023, is no stranger to the university and NKU community. Prior to becoming president, Short-Thompson served as professor and chair of the Department of Communication Studies from 1996 to 2010. Short Thompson was at NKU for his 13 years before becoming provost, creating and designing the public relations undergraduate program along with his program in graduate communications.
At the dedication ceremony, attendees will be able to witness the tradition of the use of formal wear, which is rooted in a rich history. like a presidential medal Comes with a 12K gold disc chain. The history of medallions, passed down to each new president, dates back to ancient Rome, where they were used to preserve important people and events in the form of portraits. The medallion features the NKU torch and the year the university was founded.
Another item participants can view is: university maceis based on medieval weapons and on that foundation signifies growth, evolution, and higher attainment. The gold leaf flame represents eternal light and learning, and the gold and white code represents NKU's colors. The mace was donated by the NKU Foundation.
Past presidents, such as Dr. James Botleba, who served as the longest-serving president in NKU history from 1997 to 2012, explained how the inaugural ceremony is based on history dating back hundreds of years.
“The regalia, presidential medallions, music, and certain pomp that the Platform Party would wear goes back 400 years. We don't dress like that every day, and we don't dress like that for years. “It connects us to the past, but just as importantly, we think about our future. I think this kind of investiture ceremony can accomplish all of that.”
Bottleba experienced the inauguration much as Short Thompson will in late April, and explained the impact the event had on his own presidential bid.
“It was a great experience,” Votruba said. “But it was also a time for me to think about what Dr. Short Thompson was thinking, what message was important to me to send at that moment. It took a lot of time.”
For Board of Trustees Chairman Rich Behn, this is his third time attending an NKU presidential inauguration, and he is looking back on past inaugurations and how interesting and different each one has been for past NKU presidents. I remembered.
“It's kind of strange for someone who comes from outside of academia like I did. It's grown within academia and you don't see it in many other organizational settings,” Boehne said. he said. “When I think back to the meetings I've attended, there was a huge emphasis on what kind of person each president is. What's important to remember is that they all have the same job, mission, They have goals, but when you get to know them and work with them, they are all very unusual.”
Mr. Boehne added what attendees can expect when they attend and explained how they can learn about Short Thompson during the inauguration.
“What you will see at this event is [Short-Thompson] Unlike her predecessors, what she tries to focus on is different. There are usually people from the new president's career, and sometimes they speak or participate in the program, so you learn a lot about their history. “It further solidifies the understanding I had of the president before the event,” said Bene.
Colin Jarrell, a second-year business major and incoming vice president of the SGA (Student Government Association), is excited to see what Short-Thompson has in store for him as NKU's president over the next few years. , would like to know more about it. During the inauguration ceremony.
“I'm hoping that she'll highlight some of the things that the state Legislature has done in funding NKU that will expand in the next few years. So we're looking forward to seeing some of that action plan and what she's planning to do.” “She's just trying to get the division, but I believe whatever her plans are, it's going to be beneficial to NKU,” Jarrell said.
He hopes other students will attend, and stressed that even if they can't, they will still see Short-Thompson in many other aspects of the university.
“I encourage [students] Take out. Even if you can't make it, you can still see Dr. Short-Thompson at various locations on campus. She typically attends many of the sporting events and many of the social events that are held around campus,” Jarrell said.
Beone encouraged everyone, including non-students, to keep a close eye on the inauguration later this month.
“I watch the show closely, either in person or afterwards, and listen to what's being said, what kind of atmosphere is being set, what goals are being outlined. Because it's an absolutely important indicator of what the new regime of the president will be like,'' Beone said.
For more information about the presidential inauguration, please visit the NKU website.
