New vision for IU to be unveiled

After almost four months at the helm of IU’s eight campuses, IU will inaugurate President Michael McRobbie. A 3 p.m. ceremony today at the IU Auditorium will confirm McRobbie as IU’s 18th president.\nThough McRobbie has been in office since the summer, his inauguration will mark his official induction into the IU history books, and gave him a chance to reveal his long-term vision for the University.\n“It is a long-standing tradition at universities to inaugurate a president,” said Director of Media Relations Larry MacIntyre. “This, in a sense, is going to really be the day that we launch a new vision for the University.”\nMaster of Ceremonies and IU Foundation President Curt Simic will introduce McRobbie, who will deliver his keynote speech, outlining his plan for IU.\n“The President intends to say a lot of things in his speech that are very specific and very concrete, as to where he wants to take IU over the next decade or two,” MacIntyre said. “He’s going to be laying out his vision a lot more concretely than he’s ever done until now.”\nThe ceremony will open with a performance of “Inaugural Fanfare,” composed by IU Jacobs School of Music professor David Dzubay specially for McRobbie’s inauguration. As almost 200 IU faculty members march through the hall wearing black robes, representatives will join them from universities around the world, including England, Korea and McRobbie’s native Australia. Other musical performances will include Jacobs School lecturer and Grammy Award winner Sylvia McNair singing “Songs of the Auvergne.”\n“It will be pomp and circumstance at its best,” said Dean of Students Dick McKaig. “It will be a great day for the president and for IU.”