September 12, 2018 | UHCL Staff
University of Houston-Clear Lake will host the investiture of President Ira K. Blake on Thursday, Sept. 20, at 2 p.m. as the culminating event in a series of activities that reflect her passion for students, art and diversity, faculty and staff and wellness. The events begin Monday, Sept. 17 and continue through the week. Because “Transcending Expectations” has been one of the focal points since President Blake’s arrival, it is fitting as the theme for the investiture ceremony.
Investiture events at universities take place within the first year of a new university president’s appointment. It formally marks the transference of authority and symbols of the office to the new president. In keeping with long-standing tradition, participants in the processional will wear the regalia of their own academic institution.
President Blake is UH-Clear Lake’s fifth president and the first woman and first African-American to be appointed to the university’s highest office. Her formal installation will take place in the Bayou Theater, 2700 Bay Area Blvd., Houston.
“The investiture ceremony is a great symbolic way for faculty to celebrate the new leadership and direction for the University of Houston-Clear Lake,” said Faculty Senate President and Professor of Sociology Mike McMullen. “We are maturing as a four-year institution, and this marks the new opportunities for students, faculty and staff as we move the university into the future.”
In addition to President Blake’s formal investiture, the week’s events celebrate UHCL’s history, student engagement, the arts, and innovation. Event highlights include an alumni panel sharing stories of their journey towards their “calling,” an engaging discussion led by UHCL faculty on the importance of free speech on national Constitution Day and a free UHCL T-shirt giveaway in conjunction with other spirit activities.
UHCL’s newly expanded Art Gallery opens for a reception of the exhibition titled, “Let Me Be Part of Your Search History,” followed by a gallery talk and printmaking demonstration led by Assistant Professor of Art and Design Lauren Kussro. The final event of the week is the Bayou Theater’s 2018-19 season opener, Mercury: Vivaldi vs. Paganini.
