The 11th university president is about to be formally inducted.
Oct. 22 brings about Colorado Mesa University’s (CMU) investiture ceremony for President John Marshall, previously CMU’s Vice President of Student Services. He succeeded President Tim Foster, who served for 17 years.
“I’ve got an unbelievably supportive Board of Trustees and an outstanding administrative team. We’ve got this fantastic student body and we are a community in all [our campuses]. I mean, where would you rather be,” Marshall said.
An investiture ceremony means the formal installment of someone who was elected or put in a position. Marshall’s concert is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 22, as the culmination of the month-long Maverick Momentum tour. The ceremony is overseen by the Board of Trustees.
CMU’s Associated Student Government (ASG) has a representative role and is hosting a panel before the ceremony about the importance of shared governance on Thursday, Oct. 21.
“Investiture brings important opportunities to build upon existing traditions and create new ones. The Maverick Momentum Tour has shown CMU’s longstanding history as the most student-focused University in the state of Colorado by highlighting all three of CMU’s campuses,” ASG President Jay Shearrow said.
The investiture ceremony intersects with Homecoming, which runs through Oct. 24, and Parent’s Weekend, which runs from Oct. 22 through Oct. 24.
“Investiture is important because it is a celebration of Colorado Mesa University’s traditions, and because it brings a unique opportunity to create new traditions that carry on long after we’ve graduated,” Shearrow said.
The Maverick Momentum Tour has been going throughout October, and featured panel discussions, football tailgates and more.
While the ceremony is invite only, there are multiple watch parties available in addition to the online stream link. The Point in the University Center, Chez Lena at Western Colorado Community College and Montrose’s Cascade Hall will all have watch parties starting around 2 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 22. ASG is hosting the watch party in The Point.
The ceremony will include speeches, a presidential address and a keynote speaker.
“It’s been a really humbling process. The whole experience, to be honest with you. It’s been exciting and challenging,” Marshall said.
