WMU News

Elson S. Floyd inaugurated as WMU's 6th president

April 7, 1999

KALAMAZOO -- Dr. Elson S. Floyd was inaugurated as the sixth president of Western Michigan University in ceremonies held April 6 at Miller Auditorium on the WMU campus.

A crowd of nearly 2,000 attended the ceremony, which was free and open to the public. The audience included delegates from more than three dozen other institutions of higher education, a large number of WMU faculty, students and staff, and residents of the surrounding community.

Joan H. Krause, chair of the WMU Board of Trustees, presided over the ceremonies and formally installed Floyd as president.

Following his formal installation, Floyd, who has served as president since August 1, 1998, delivered an inaugural address in which he reiterated and stressed his commitment to "a presidency of vision, vigor and passion."

Issuing greetings to Floyd during the ceremony where Charles R. Perricone, speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives; Corey A. Watt, president of the Western Student Association; Michele C. McLaughlin, representing the staff of the university; and two representatives of the WMU faculty, Ariel L. H. Anderson and Raymond E. Alie.

Yoshimi Takeda guest conducted the the WMU Symphony Orchestra. Other musical selections during the ceremony were preformed by the WMU Symphonic Brass, the Western Brass Quintet, the University Chorale and Karl Schrock, organist. The National Anthem was sung a capella by Kevin M. Barton, a senior music voice major from Livonia, Mich.

Media contact: Mike Matthews, 616 387-8400, michael.matthews@wmich.edu


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