Written by Amber Smith
Celebration will continue on campus as the University gears up for the Investiture of VSU’s ninth president, Dr. William McKinney.
Events have been planned to fill the week leading up to Dr. McKinney’s investiture on Friday, as well as the following Saturday.
Events, including symposia, have focused on engaged innovation in higher education.
The biggest events of the week will take place on Friday. Dr. McKinney’s Investiture ceremony will take place at 10 a.m. and an inaugural ball to benefit student scholarships will be held at 6 p.m.
Today’s events will include a symposium in the Student Union Theatre at noon, during which Dr. George Mehaffy will focus on “the role of innovation in higher education,” according to the event description on the official schedule.
Light refreshments will be provided during this event, which is free and open to students, faculty and staff.
At 6 p.m., Dr. McKinney and his wife, Dr. Dacia Charlesworth, will host “Mixing it Up with the President and First Lady,” during which the two will teach attendees how to mix special cocktails developed for the inauguration. Pre-registration is required for this event.
Later this evening, the VSU Performing Arts Showcase will take place in Whitehead Auditorium.
This event, beginning at 8 p.m., is open to the public. The performance will feature student and faculty artists from various genres. A reception will follow shortly after.
Saturday’s events will be “Zumba® with the First Lady” on the Front Lawn at 9:30 a.m. and “Employee BBQ” at noon. Attendance is restricted to employees only for the barbeque, but
Zumba® is open to the public.
Earlier events this week included a symposium, “Highlighting Innovation in Our Community,” Battle of the Bands, Day of Service, a blood drive and the “Student and Alumni Barbeque” on Wednesday.
The Undergraduate Research Symposium took place on Monday and Tuesday.
Other events on Tuesday included an symposium, “Highlighting Innovation in Our Classrooms,” and a pre-show discussion of Pippin before the performance, presented by the VSU Theatre Department.
On Monday, Dr. David Williams presented research about the Civil War during the symposium, “Highlighting Innovation in Our Scholarship,” and student artists explained their works in the Student Art Competition.