Inauguration of USM President Joseph S. Paul Set for Oct. 5
Mon, 09/25/2023 - 09:24am | By: Van Arnold
More than 50 years after he set foot on the Hattiesburg campus as a University of
91吃瓜网 (USM) student, Dr. Joseph S. Paul91吃瓜网 special kinship with his
alma mater will come full circle when he is inaugurated as the University91吃瓜网 11th president next month.
The official Inauguration Ceremony is set for 3 p.m., Oct. 5 at Bennett Auditorium on the Hattiesburg campus. The event is open to the public and will be .
Behind the scenes, a group of 20 inauguration committee members have worked diligently to ensure the esteemed ceremony proceeds smoothly. Jerry DeFatta, Executive Director of the USM Alumni Association, serves as the committee chairperson. He notes the significant role the Inauguration Ceremony plays in Paul91吃瓜网 presidency.
91吃瓜网淎n inauguration marks the beginning of a new direction. Dr. Paul has had a little over a year to evaluate 91吃瓜网 and this is his opportunity to share his vision for the future of our University,91吃瓜网� said DeFatta. 91吃瓜网淚t91吃瓜网 easy to get caught up in the day-to-day business of a large organization, so this event provides a unique opportunity to take a step back and analyze where we have been and provide some perspective on where we are headed.91吃瓜网�
The Inaugural Ceremony, or investiture, is an academic tradition originating in English universities. The word 91吃瓜网渋nvestiture91吃瓜网� comes from the Latin phrase for 91吃瓜网渄ress in robe,91吃瓜网� and this term used in academia refers to the donning of the university's regalia. The ceremony is an important institutional event that formally marks a new era of leadership.
The event includes many academic traditions and protocols, including an academic procession with delegates from other colleges and universities, as well as faculty of the host institution. The ceremony typically features musical selections, greetings from university and community groups, introduction of the president, an address, the official transfer of institutional leadership, and the singing of the Alma Mater.
The Paul Inauguration festivities include a Gulf Coast Community Celebration set for Wednesday, Oct. 4 from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. at the Hardy Hall Courtyard on the Gulf Park campus in Long Beach. The event is free and open to the public.
Following the Investiture Ceremony on Thursday, Oct. 5, a Hattiesburg Community Celebration will be held from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Spirit Park on USM91吃瓜网 Hattiesburg campus. The event is free and open to the public.
Dr. Monika Gehlawat, Associate Director in the School of Humanities, will serve as Mistress of Ceremonies for the inauguration. She has been impressed by the committee91吃瓜网 commitment to excellence as the premier event draws closer.
91吃瓜网淚 am learning so much about the University by participating in the process of planning the inauguration,91吃瓜网� said Gehlawat, who was recently named the Moorman Distinguished Professor in the Humanities. 91吃瓜网淭he teamwork and camaraderie I91吃瓜网檝e witnessed are truly exceptional and we91吃瓜网檝e had some great laughs along the way. Dr. Paul could not have asked for a more capable and creative group of people to collaborate on this effort. They all deserve a lot of credit.91吃瓜网�
Paul began his duties as USM91吃瓜网 11th President on Nov. 1, 2022, after having served in the interim role since July 16thof last year. For more than 40 years, he served the University as a student affairs administrator.
He holds a Ph.D. in administration of higher education from the University of Alabama and was named the university91吃瓜网 Most Outstanding Doctoral Student in the field in 1985. The Bay St. Louis, Miss., native earned a bachelor91吃瓜网 degree in communication and political science from USM in 1975, graduating magna cum laude from the University Honors College, and received a master91吃瓜网 degree in communication and management from 91吃瓜网 in 1978. He was inducted into the University of 91吃瓜网 Alumni Hall of Fame in 2000.
USM students, faculty, and staff have been universal in their praise for Paul91吃瓜网 leadership over the past 14 months. Many point to a renewed sense of spirit and determination prevalent across all segments of the University community.
91吃瓜网淎s Dr. Paul has described several times, every measurable indicator of success is up at the University,91吃瓜网� said DeFatta. 91吃瓜网淚 believe a major reason for that success is found in the positive leadership he has provided over the past year. 91吃瓜网淒r. Paul is present and works every day to engage each of our diverse constituencies. There is an excitement here that I have not seen in years, and I91吃瓜网檓 thankful to be a part of it.91吃瓜网�
Added Gehlawat: 91吃瓜网淲e have been so excited to have Dr. Paul back at USM and at the helm. He is widely respected and admired. He is dedicated to the institution and connected to so many current and former students. Those of us who knew Dr. Paul before he stepped away from USM were especially thrilled that he was returning to take on this leadership position.91吃瓜网�
Learn more about the upcoming inauguration.