Formal Academic Investiture Ceremony set Sept. 14; all-community celebration follows

The formal Investiture Ceremony open to all for Idaho State University President Arthur C. Vailas, Ph.D., will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 14, in Holt Arena.

An all-community barbecue featuring entertainment, academic information and various demonstrations by ISU departments and student groups will be held on the ISU Hutchinson Quadrangle immediately following the Investiture Ceremony.

“The investiture of President Vailas will rank among the proudest and most historic chapters in the University’s history, and in the history of higher education in Idaho,” said Kent Tingey, D.A., vice president for advancement. “It's a chance for all of us to wish Dr. Vailas the best as he takes the university into a new era.”

Friday’s formal Investiture Ceremony will be preceded by the Inaugural Gala Performance – featuring performances by ISU musical, theatrical and dance groups – beginning at 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 13. It will be in the 1,200-seat Joseph C. and Cheryl H. Jensen Grand Concert Hall in the L.E. and Thelma E. Stephens Performing Arts Center. Free tickets to this event can be obtained on a first-come, first-served basis at the Stephens Center Box Office. For ticket information, call (208) 282-3595.

Investiture is the formal bestowal, confirmation or presentation of rank, office, or a possessory or prescriptive right. It is rooted in the Middle Ages, when investiture ceremonies typically signaled the transfer of office by either religious clerics or a political monarchy.

Investiture of a college or university president is a formal induction into office. It is held during the new president’s first year in office, or at the conclusion of the first year. Investiture symbolizes the bestowing of power to the president when he receives the University medallion.

More than 50 representatives from universities from throughout the United States are participating in the processional opening the investiture ceremony on Friday and more than 70 university presidents have sent formal greetings. Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter is scheduled to speak. There will be representatives from the State Board of Education, government officials, University faculty and student officials as well.

At the investiture, Pocatello physician M.R. “Mick” Mickelson, M.D., will act as master of ceremonies. Those scheduled to speak include John Masserini, D.M.A., ISU Faculty Senate Chair; Ray Hart, ISU Staff Council Chair; David Sanna, president of the ISU Alumni Association; and Jennifer Brown, president of the Associated Students of ISU;

“September 14th is a very special day for Idaho State University,” Brown said. “I urge students to come out and support our new President as he takes his first official steps in leading ISU into the future. The investiture ceremony offers students a chance to experience a rich academic tradition and also the opportunity to hear what lies ahead for our university.”

President Vailas’s brother, James Vailas, M.D., and Timothy White, Ph.D., President of the University of Idaho, will give inaugural remarks. Blake Hall, J.D., Idaho State Board of Education Member, will perform the investiture.

The ISU Symphonic Band, conducted by Patrick Brooks, Ph.D., ISU director of bands, will perform music for the event’s processional and recessional. Kathleen Lane, ISU professor of voice, will sing the National Anthem, and the ISU Alma Matter. Elder Ronald J. Hammond, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, will deliver the invocation and Rev. Father Elias Koucos, Greek Orthodox Church, Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, will deliver the benediction.

The all-community barbecue is scheduled to begin immediately after the Investiture Ceremony. Guests are encouraged to use the shuttle buses that will be available at Holt Arena to travel to the Hutchinson Quadrangle.

More than 40 academic and administrative entities representing ISU’s seven colleges and administrative departments will have interactive displays and or presentations. A stage will be setup on the Quad. Entertainment scheduled includes performances by ISU student musical groups, the Odecian Dancers from the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church in Pocatello and the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes Spring Creek Dancers. The ISU Cheerleaders and Bengal Dancers are scheduled to be at the event. Food served will include a baked-potato bar, hamburgers, hotdogs, Greek pastries and ice cream.

AMI Semiconductor, Citizens Community Bank, the Idaho National Laboratory, Qwest, and the Greater Pocatello Convention and Visitors Bureau are the Inauguration Celebration’s major sponsors.

“We’re very grateful for the support we’ve received from these major sponsors,” Tingey said. “And we would like to thank all of the university departments, community groups and businesses that have worked so hard and contributed to this event honoring President Vailas.”