Inauguration Day
Slippery Rock University plans to spend 17 days celebrating the inauguration of the school's 17th president, William J. Behre.
The public is invited to the formal ceremony at 11 a.m. Nov. 9 in Morrow Field House.
“Presidential inaugurals are milestone events in the history of the university and provide an excellent opportunity for it to celebrate its past, present and future,” said Tina Moser, SRU chief of staff and co-chair of the ceremony's planning committee.
Behre was selected to lead the nearly 9,000-student university by the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Board of Governors March 14, following a nationwide search. He assumed his presidential duties July 1.
Rita Abent, executive director of communication and public affairs and co-chair of the planning committee, said the ceremony will start in a nontraditional way, with those attending scattered at different starting points to commence the Grand March.
“They start at different places on campus and come together at a certain point and they march into the field house. That's representative of the fact that the university is many parts and they come together,” Abent said.
Abent said as the groups merge they will be led into the field house by a color guard and grand marshal procession that will include a percussion ensemble.
The remainder of the ceremony and reception will follow traditions established by the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education.
“Once they get on stage, it'll become more of a traditional ceremony,” Abent said.
The president will be sworn in, receive a presidential mace and medallion and will be given his charge by PASSHE Chancellor Daniel Greenstein.
There will be an open reception from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. at the Morrow Field House Grass-Tex area.
Surrounding the ceremony, students, faculty and staff will celebrate by hosting a number of events and activities, starting Nov. 1 with a “Paws for a Cause” event hosted by the SRU Student Government Association.
SGA has asked the students and residents to join them and representatives from the Butler County Humane Society from 12:30 to 4 p.m. on the Quad. The humane society will be collecting donations of items and distributing informational materials.
A complete “wish list” of items needed at the BCHS can be found on the society's website at www. http://butlercountyhs.org.
SGA President Dallas Kline said it chose to partner with the humane society to pay homage to Behre and his wife, Leah.
“First, it represents a core value of SRU, public service, and second, it honors a cause close to the Behres' hearts. Both their dogs, Oscar and Sadie, are rescue dogs,” Kline said. “SGA is honored to be kicking off the inaugural celebration.”
Abent said SGA put a lot of thought into the event.
“I was really proud that the students would do something for service and then would really be thoughtful about what would be near and dear to the Behres,” Abent said.
The event continues with a pet parade at 3 p.m. led by the Behres and their dogs, Sadie and Oscar. The public is invited to join them with their own pets, optionally dressing the animals in green and white.
“Half of our freshmen class have met Sadie and Oscar,” Abent said.
Abent said there will be many other events throughout the 17 days, a day representing each of the university's presidents.
She said the extended celebration allows everyone to celebrate the university and its future as much as the passing on of the president's title.
“It allows you the ability to celebrate the university and to celebrate its history and tradition,” Abent said.
