What is an Investiture?

The Presidential Investiture is a formal academic ceremony in which the new leader is conferred with the authority of the office. It is traditionally held during the president’s first year in office.

Why it matters

The investiture is an academic tradition giving the University an opportunity to begin a new chapter in its history and celebrate as a community the pursuit of knowledge and scholarship, and the future of the University.

Origin

The investiture ceremony is among the oldest traditions in higher education. Originating in English universities and modeled after highly dignified knighthood ceremonies, investiture comes from the Latin phrase for “dress in robe.” In academic circles, the term has come to mean one who will literally don the university’s insignia and regalia.