Investiture Ceremony Was a Tremendous Success

More than 1,000 people attended the investiture of Lindenwood University’s twenty first president, Dr. James D. Evans, Friday, November 9, 2007 at the Hyland Performance Arena. At the ceremony, the chairman of the Board of Directors officially conferred the authority and symbols of the office upon the president.

The word “investiture” comes from Middle English, which comes from the Medieval Latin word “investitus” meaning “the act of establishing in office or ratifying.”

Thus, the goal of an investiture is to establish in office and celebrate our new president, Dr. Evans. The installation of a president is a ceremony of dignity that includes academic traditions and protocols. The events began with an academic procession that included delegates from other colleges and universities, as well as Lindenwood’s own faculty, wearing the colorful academic regalia of their institutions.

Interspersed with musical selections from the Fine and Performing Arts faculty and students, there were greetings from undergraduate and graduate students, the faculty, alumni, and governmental officials. After Dr. Evans was presented with the symbols of his new office he gave a delightful address “It’s all about the student.” The ceremony was closed out with the first-ever performance of Lindenwood’s new alma mater, Oh Lindenwood, sung for by Voices Only.

All members of the campus community, including students, faculty, and staff, as well as alumni and the community, were invited to attend this ceremony, the first presidential investiture to be held on the Lindenwood campus in over 40 years.

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