Higher education in the United States has a long history of cultivating some of the world’s greatest thinkers and shaping many of the influential figures that have led us into the 21st century. The role academia has played in society has been influenced by an evolving culture, industry demand and economic growth, but the one constant at the core of education is that knowledge provides a better quality of life and positive lasting impacts for families and the generations that follow.
Societies with higher degree completion rates make their communities stronger, healthier, even happier. Having an educated populous tends to mean lower crime rates and higher economic stability. Universities play an integral role in communities and so do the leaders of institutions.
On July 1, Colorado Mesa University welcomed new President John Marshall after 17 years under the leadership of President Emeritus Tim Foster.
On October 22, the Board of Trustees will hold an Investiture Ceremony for newly-appointed President Marshall. He will be joined by his family, students, faculty, staff, administrators, public officials and distinguished guests to be recognized as the 11th president of the near hundred-year-old institution.
“As the Colorado Mesa University Board of Trustees chair it has been a privilege to serve alongside President Marshall these first few months. His dedication and love for his alma mater is contagious,” said CMU Board Chair Alison Griffin. “Investiture is one of the oldest traditions in academia and the board looks forward to officially welcoming President Marshall in this time-honored, symbolic ceremony.”
An investiture is the act or ceremony of formally conferring an honor or rank on a particular person. The investiture ceremony creates an occasion to celebrate CMU and its connection to a long history of learning and community while celebrating university momentum under Marshall’s leadership.
“The CMU investiture ceremony will create an occasion to celebrate our connection to a long history of learning and community. It's a great opportunity not only for President Marshall to articulate his vision for CMU going forward, but for our campus's various stakeholders - students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community - to reaffirm our commitment to each other and the institution,” said Colorado Mesa University Vice President for Academic Affairs Kurt Haas, PhD.
October, which is Mav Month, will be a time for the CMU community to come together in support of the university’s mission and to renew their commitment to the institution and its students.
“The Presidential Investiture Committee has been planning the ceremony and the larger Maverick Momentum Tour for months and we’re excited for it to take shape,” said Trustee Kasia Iwaniczko-MacLeod.
The ceremony will be the culmination of The Maverick Momentum Tour, which will be a month’s-long celebration paying homage to higher education and the role CMU has played in educating students. It will also be a time for President Marshall to speak to his vision as university president.
“I’m fortunate to have had the opportunity to witness President Marshall’s leadership while he was vice president for student services and I can say with certainty that this community has a president who will do the work to continue to make this campus one of the best in Colorado,” said Iwaniczko-MacLeod.
The tour will include panels and events at stops throughout the state. Stay tuned for additional details on events.