Investiture Ceremony Program by Saginaw Valley State University

Investiture Ceremony of George Grant

Jr, Ph.D.

as the fifth president of Saginaw Valley State University

Tuesday, September 26, 2023

Ten Thirty in the morning inside the Malcolm Field Theatre for the Performing Arts

Saginaw Valley State University

SAGINAW VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY ® 1963

Presidents of Saginaw valley state university

SVSU Board of Control

Raj M Wiener, Williamston

Lindsay S. Eggers, Linwood

John D. Cherry, Clio

Vanessa Guerra, Saginaw

JoAnn T. Crary, Saginaw

Carl M. Williams, Saginaw

Dr. William Capitan served as acting president from January 1, 1974, to June 30, 1974.

Dr. Walter T. James served as acting president from July 1, 1974, to November 30, 1974. (Jack Ryder became the second president on December 2, 1974.)

Jerry A. Woodcock and Robert S. P. Yien served as acting co-presidents from May 1 to August 27, 1989. (Eric R. Gilbertson became the third president on August 28, 1989.)

Investiture

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Ceremony of GEORGE GRANT JR, Ph.D. Donald J. Bachand 2014-2022 Eric R. Gilbertson 1989-2013 Samuel D. Marble 1963-1973 George Grant Jr 2023- Jack M. Ryder 1974-1989

Investiture

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Ceremony of GEORGE GRANT JR, Ph.D. George Grant Jr, Ph.D.

George Grant Jr was appointed to serve as the fifth president of Saginaw Valley State University on January 1, 2023.

Dr. Grant previously served as chancellor of Pennsylvania State University Berks. Prior to that, he spent 24 years at Grand Valley State University in Michigan, including 12 years as dean of the College of Community and Public Service.

Dr. Grant began his professional and leadership career working in child welfare, which included foster care, adoption, and family preservation. Throughout his career, he served on numerous boards, consulted for nonprofit and for-profit organizations, provided training, conducted research, presented at national and international conferences, coauthored twelve books, and worked in private practice.

President Grant studied at Wayne County Community College prior to completing a bachelor’s degree in social work at Marygrove College in Detroit. He later completed a master’s degree in social work at Grand Valley State University and a Ph.D. in sociology at Western Michigan University. President Grant also earned a certificate from the Harvard Institute in Educational Management.

President Grant is the first person of color to serve as SVSU president. A Detroit native, he has welcomed the opportunity to return to his home state and to join a university that aligns with his values.

“I understand SVSU’s history and traditions. Our passion for academic exploration and achievement continues to ensure attainable opportunities for higher education to help students reach their full potential.

“SVSU’s mission, strategic plan, and commitment to community engagement align with my values. SVSU is committed to educating citizens of Michigan while also providing the opportunity for a quality education to people across the country and around the world.”

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Ceremony

of GEORGE GRANT JR, Ph.D.

Investiture Ceremony

Prelude Cardinal Brass Quintet

Felicia Snyder, Trumpet

Matthew Kovalcsik, Trumpet

Evan Smock, Horn

Victor David, Trombone

Brandon Elliott, Tuba

Dr. Norman Wika, Director

Processional Cardinal Brass Quintet

Grand Marshal

Dr. Brandon L. Haskett

SVSU Faculty Association President

Master of Ceremonies

Dr. Deborah R. Huntley

SVSU Provost & Vice President for Academic Affairs

The National Anthem

Rayn Clark, Vocalist

Cardinal Brass Quintet

Invocation

Pastor Christopher V. Pryor

Victorious Believers Ministries

Salutations

SVSU Faculty Association President: Dr. Brandon L. Haskett

SVSU Support Staff Association President: Kathleen A. Chantaca-Kubczak

SVSU Student Association President: Austin Urlaub

SVSU Executive Director of Alumni Relations: Nic Taylor

Interlude: The Past as Prologue

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Ceremony of GEORGE GRANT JR, Ph.D.

Installation of the President

Remarks and Presentation of the Medallion

Raj M Wiener Chair, SVSU Board of Control

Remarks

President George Grant Jr

Closing Remarks

Dr. Brandon L. Haskett SVSU Faculty Association President

Recessional

Cardinal Brass Quintet

Post-Ceremony Reception

Please join President and Mrs. Grant in celebrating his installation as the fifth president of Saginaw Valley State University.

Guests are invited to proceed to the Curtiss Hall Banquet Rooms for hors d’oeuvres and refreshments.

Protocol

SVSU requests all attendees at the investiture ceremony to silence cell phones prior to the commencement of the event.

The audience is requested to stand during the processional, remain standing for the national anthem and invocation, and stand again during the recessional.

Photography

To preserve the dignity of the occasion, SVSU asks that members of the audience refrain from using flash cameras. No personal photographs or videos are to be taken from any area of the floor during the processional or during the investiture ceremony. Personal photographs or videos may be taken from your seat.

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Ceremony of GEORGE GRANT JR, Ph.D.

The Platform Party

Board of Control

Raj M Wiener, Chair Lindsay S. Eggers, Vice Chair Vanessa Guerra, Treasurer

JoAnn T. Crary Carl M. Williams George Grant Jr (Ex-officio)

University Administration

J.J. Boehm, M.A. Executive Director of University Communications

Ellen E. Crane, J.D. Associate Vice President/General Counsel and Interim Executive Director of the SVSU Foundation

Susan L. Crane, M.B.A. Interim Vice President for Administration & Business Affairs

Deborah R. Huntley, Ph.D. Provost & Vice President for Academic Affairs

John L. Kaczynski, M.P.A. Executive Director of Governmental and Community Affairs

Corrie Piotrowski, B.A. Assistant Vice President for Administration and Business Affairs/ Director of Human Resources

Angela S. Pohl, M.Ed. Interim Athletic Director

Mamie T. Thorns, Ed.D. Associate Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

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Ceremony of GEORGE GRANT JR, Ph.D.

(continued)

Deans of the University

Andrew M. Chubb, Ph.D. Dean, College of Science, Engineering & Technology

Marcia Ditmyer, Ph.D. Dean, College of Health & Human Services

Jayati Ghosh, Ph.D. Dean, Carmona College of Business

Marc H. Peretz, D.M.A. Dean, College of Arts & Behavioral Sciences

Marie J. Rabideau, Ed.D. Interim Associate Provost for Student Affairs and Dean of Students

James E. Tarr, Ph.D. Dean, College of Education

Delegates

Brandon L. Haskett, D.M.A.

SVSU Faculty Association President

Austin Urlaub

SVSU Student Association President

Kathleen A. Chantaca-Kubczak

SVSU Support Staff Association President

Nic Taylor, M.Ed.

SVSU Executive Director of Alumni Relations

Member of the Clergy

Pastor Christopher V. Pryor

Victorious Believers Ministries

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Ceremony of GEORGE GRANT JR, Ph.D.

Academic Regalia

Official participants in the investiture ceremony wear distinctive apparel referred to as regalia. The gowns, caps and hoods worn today evolved from costumes worn several centuries ago in European ceremonies. Participants holding master’s degrees wear black gowns with long, extended sleeves which historically served as pockets. By contrast, doctoral gowns are more elaborate, with a velvet panel down the front and velvet bars on each sleeve. The colors of the gowns vary, according to the institution granting the doctoral degree. Members of the Board of Control and the president wear red regalia to distinguish them as serving on the university’s governing board.

Caps are either mortarboard or a soft beret modeled after the cap of Cambridge University. The tassel on the cap may be black or a color indicating the field of study for the earned degree. A gold tassel signifies the holder of a doctoral degree.

Hoods, which drape over the back of the gown, are worn only by those with a master’s degree and higher. The colors in the hood denote the degree earned, academic institution, and field of study. The colors revealed in the center back of the hood signify the school colors of the academic institution granting the degree (SVSU colors are red and blue). The velvet trim showing around the neck, and also on some doctors’ gowns, represents the field of study.

SVSU Degree Colors for Hood and Tassel

College of Arts & Behavioral Sciences

Arts ................................. White

Fine Arts ............................. Brown

Carmona College of Business Drab

College of Education Light Blue

Crystal M. Lange College of Health & Human Services

Nursing Apricot

Medical Technology, Occupational Therapy Gold

Social Work Citron

College of Science, Engineering & Technology

Science Gold

Engineering & Technology Orange

Faculty members may be wearing hood colors indicating a field of study other than those offered at SVSU.

Agriculture ......................... Maize

Architecture ..................... Blue Violet

Dentistry ............................ Lilac

Economics Copper

Forestry Russet

Home Economics Maroon

Journalism Crimson

Law Purple

Letters, Humanities White

Library Science Lemon

Medicine Green

Music Pink

Oratory (Speech) Silver Gray

Pharmacy Olive Green

Philosophy ...................... Dark Blue

Physical Education ............... Sage Green

Public Administration ........... Peacock Blue

Public Health .................. Salmon Pink

Theology, Divinity .................... Scarlet

Veterinary Science Gray

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Ceremony of GEORGE GRANT JR, Ph.D.

The Investiture

An investiture is defined as the “formal ceremony of conferring the authority and symbols of high office.” For colleges and universities, the Board of Control, as trustees of the institution, confer the authority of the office to the new president. An investiture is one of the oldest traditions in academia, a milestone that celebrates a new era for the university while honoring its history.

The Medallion

The President’s Medallion is the badge of office for the presidency of Saginaw Valley State University. The medallion is bestowed upon a new president to represent a transfer of the responsibility of office and an obligation to promote and maintain the values represented by the institution. SVSU’s medallion features a carving of the university seal and the year of the institution’s founding (1963) and is presented at the president’s investiture, signaling the beginning of tenure in office. The president wears the medallion at commencement ceremonies and other formal academic functions of the University.

The Mace

The mace carried by the marshal in the academic processional is a symbol of authority traditionally used in Britain and Canada for the opening of parliament. The name derives from the Latin mateola, meaning mallet or staff. In the Middle Ages, such staffs, with a metal ball at one end, were used as weapons. SVSU’s mace was designed by Victoria Gillespie, wife of mechanical engineering professor Thomas Gillespie, who taught at SVSU from 1973 to 1995. The handcrafted mace was constructed with a wooden handle and metal head. A message intended to be opened and read after 20 years was placed inside the metal head. However, a campus fire in 1985 prevented that historic occasion. Although it was feared the mace had been totally destroyed by the fire, eventually the charred head was recovered. Mrs. Gillespie constructed a new handle, cleaned the head, replaced a red stone set in it and had a carpenter construct a box for storing the refurbished mace. The mace is used each year during commencement ceremonies, as well as on other auspicious occasions, such as the investiture of the president.

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Ceremony of GEORGE GRANT JR, Ph.D.

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Investiture Ceremony of GEORGE GRANT JR, Ph.D. Jack M. Ryder • 1974-1989 Samuel D. Marble • 1963-1973

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Ceremony of GEORGE GRANT JR, Ph.D.

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Donald J. Bachand • 2013-2022 Eric R. Gilbertson • 1989-2013

About Saginaw Valley State University

Saginaw Valley State University (SVSU), the newest of Michigan’s state universities, is situated on a 782-acre campus in the Great Lakes Bay Region within a triangle formed by the counties of Saginaw, Bay, and Midland. SVSU was originally chartered as a private institution to meet the higher education needs of east-central Michigan.

The year was 1963, and because there were no four-year institutions of higher learning in the region, committed community members saw a need for a liberal arts college in an area with a then-population base of 500,000 people. The grassroots investment has remained consistent throughout SVSU’s history, as the University and the region remain intertwined in both goals and leadership. As Saginaw Valley College, the institution admitted its first class of 119 students in 1964, became state-assisted in 1965 during a period of national expansion of institutions of higher learning, and held its first commencement in 1966. The name was changed from Saginaw Valley College to Saginaw Valley State College in 1975 and to Saginaw Valley State University in 1987. The earliest students were primarily nontraditional commuter students. However, the student profile has shifted steadily, especially over the past two decades, to a more traditional student base, with significant numbers of students living on campus or nearby. Additionally, a recruitment effort to expand its student population to be more diverse and global has resulted in an international population of more than 250 students from more than 40 countries who now study at SVSU.

From its beginnings the University has kept pace with regional needs in the programs it offers, as well as its physical facilities and infrastructure. SVSU has evolved into a distinctive comprehensive regional university that fulfills the goals of its founders by providing higher educational opportunities for the citizens of the region, the state and, to a more limited extent, beyond. While many things about Saginaw Valley State University have changed in its 60year history, its primary mission — to provide access to high quality academic programs, to provide opportunities for success in personal and intellectual development, and to serve the region as an intellectual and cultural center — has remained constant.

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GEORGE GRANT JR, Ph.D.

Friends from Near & Far

SVSU appreciates the kind regards of our friends throughout the world.

Argentine University of Enterprise

Argentina

University of San Martin

Argentina

Jahangirnagar University

Bangladesh

University of Chittagong

Bangladesh

Universidade do Vale do Itajai.

Brazil

Changchun Normal University

China

Jinan University

China

Shenyang Aerospace University

China

Shanghai Normal University

China

University of Science and Technology-Beijing

China

Shandong Women’s University

China

Neijiang Normal University

China

Hautes Etudes D’Ingenieur

France

Ansbach University of Applied Sciences

Germany

Pentecost University College

Ghana

Basa Veshwar Veerashaiva Vidyavardhak Sangha

India

Kittur Rani Channamma International Residential School for Girls

India

Maynooth University

Ireland

Kansai Gaidai University

Japan

Shikoku University

Japan

Tokushima Municipal High School

Japan

University of Guanajuato

Mexico

Sungshin Women’s University

South Korea

Kyunghee University

South Korea

Daegu University

South Korea

Songshin Women’s University

South Korea

Ming Chuan University

Taiwan

Shih Hsin University

Taiwan

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Ceremony of GEORGE GRANT JR, Ph.D.