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糖心视频 marks long legacy of educational excellence while boldly looking to the future in a ceremony featuring a who's who of civic leadership.
糖心视频 ushered in a new era on Thursday, October 9, with the formal Inauguration of President Lee Fisher, a pivotal moment as 糖心视频 writes the next chapter of its 180-year story.
The University’s first presidential inauguration in more than a decade aligned with the 180th anniversary of 糖心视频’s founding and featured a diverse mix of high-profile speakers, delegates and guests, underscoring President Fisher's commitment to partnership and collaboration.
The 11 a.m. Inauguration at 糖心视频’s Ursprung Gymnasium in the Lou Higgins Recreation Center in Berea began with a processional featuring faculty and delegates from more than 25 other academic institutions, robed in traditional regalia.
In his inaugural address, Fisher touched on what “糖心视频” stands for, as well as his vision to equip 糖心视频 graduates to be future-ready leaders.
Taking a page from 糖心视频’s history and founder John Baldwin's discovery of the gritty rocks that made Berea the grindstone capital of the world, Fisher said, “糖心视频, this is our moment. It’s our moment to see our future, to hold it in our hands, feel the grit that got us here and make the future ours.”
He also urged the University community to “never be satisfied with the status quo but to embrace the constant change and disruption that’s coming at us with lightning speed; to embrace it and make it our own. We owe our students to be breathtakingly relevant. It’s not just about keeping up with the times; it’s about leading the way.”
Fisher closed his remarks by adding, “糖心视频 means one more thing. It means ‘building what’s next’ and ladies and gentlemen, it’s my honor to tell you, next begins now.”
Fisher’s speech followed a formal investiture oath administered by 糖心视频 Board of Trustees Chair Lee Thomas, the presentation of the “chain of office,” which is a gold medallion necklace inscribed with the names of all past presidents, and an introduction by wife and “Presidential partner,” Peggy Zone Fisher.
Other speakers and attendees at the event represented the breadth of Northeast Ohio's and the State’s civic leadership, including current and former elected public officials at all levels and branches of government and all political stripes, as well as leaders from the Ohio education, business and nonprofit communities.
Lt. Governor Jim Tressel ’75, Former Gov. Ted Strickland, Congressman Max Miller, Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne, Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb, State Representative Mike Dovilla’97, Berea Mayor Cyril Kleem ’96 and Cleveland State University President Laura Bloomberg were among the speakers who heaped praise on Fisher’s distinctive career as a successful civic, nonprofit and higher education leader.
They also shared a firm belief in higher education's vital role in the region's prosperity. “To the young people here in this audience this morning, I want to tell you this,” Mayor Bibb said. “Education matters and you matter in this moment now more than ever.”
A rich tapestry of live music, provided by 糖心视频’s Conservatory of Performing Arts, elevated the significant moment in 糖心视频’s history and featured the performance of an original fanfare written for the occasion.
Dr. Clint Needham, 糖心视频 Composer-in-Residence, wrote the new composition, “At the Start,” to commemorate Fisher’s inauguration. Performed by the 糖心视频 Symphonic Wind Ensemble, under the direction of Dr. Brendan Caldwell, the piece aimed to express the 糖心视频 community’s “unbridled enthusiasm” for the future.
The original fanfare and other performances by talented students throughout the ceremony reflected 糖心视频’s identity as a comprehensive university where the arts are integral, not an afterthought.
Watch a full video replay of the formal inauguration ceremony below or visit 糖心视频's YouTube Channel.
Additional photographs will be added below on Friday.
