Weeklong celebration to surround Garrison inaugural Oct. 14-21 at WVU

August 24th, 2007

West Virginia University President-elect Mike Garrison is inviting everyone to take part in the many activities and events planned during Inauguration Week, Oct. 14-21.

Coming Homeis the theme for the weeklong celebration that will culminate with the inauguration of Garrison as the Universitys 22nd president at 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 19, in historic Woodburn Circle. The inaugural activities will coincide with WVU Homecoming and Diversity weeks.

While the main theme for the week will be �€~Coming Home,each day of Inauguration Week will have its own theme tied to WVU s mission of teaching, research and public service,said Bill Case, senior executive team member.Mike wants this to be an inclusive week where people of all age groups and backgrounds can come to campus and celebrate all that is good about West Virginia University.

The following is a tentative list of events, activities planned for Inauguration Week:

Sunday, Oct. 14Supporting Families, Strengthening Health

  • 11 a.m.-4 p.m.Family Day at the WVU Farm, Stewartstown RoadKids or kids-at-heart will experience fun, hands-on activities from the Davis College of Agriculture, Forestry and Consumer Sciences and WVU Extension Service.

Monday, Oct. 15Valuing Our People

  • 10:30 a.m.-noonRejoin the Conversation,Vandalia Lounge, MountainlairGarrison will host the final public forum.
  • 6 p.m.Why I Teach,Blaney HouseJoin students, faculty and staff as a panel discusses its motivation in higher education at WVU . A reception will follow.

Tuesday, Oct. 16Serving Our State

  • 8-9:30 a.m.Military Appreciation Breakfast, Mountainlair ballrooms WVU will be honoring those who have served and are serving our country. Participants will enjoy breakfast while hearing the stories of veterans and service men and women from around the area.
  • 1-4 p.m.Blood drive, Mountainlair Ballrooms
  • 6 p.m.Greek Games, Mountainlair Plaza

Wednesday, Oct. 17Launching Research and Discovery

  • 8-11 a.m.Research poster session, National Research Center for Coal and Energy, Evansdale Campus
  • 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.Women of Color Luncheon, Mountainlair BallroomsThis annual Diversity Week tradition will feature speaker Sarah Culberson, who was adopted by a Morgantown family in the 1970s and discovered that she was an African princess while seeking out her birth parents.

Thursday, Oct. 18Changing Lives

  • 4-6 p.m.Young Alums in the Classroom:How WVU Changed My Life WVU alumni are coming home to share their success with current WVU students stories with current WVU students. They will visit Garrisons political science class and share their stories of how WVU has changed their lives.

Friday, Oct. 19Coming Home

  • 1-2:30 p.m.Inauguration ceremony, Woodburn CircleJoin the inauguration of West Virginia Universitys 22nd president, Mike Garrison. The event is open to the public. Seating on Woodburn Circle is limited and will be reserved for ceremony participants. General seating available on a first-come, first-seated basis.
  • 2:30 p.m. or immediately following ceremonyInauguration celebration, Mountainlair PlazaJoin other members of the WVU family as they celebrate the inauguration of Garrison. Open to all students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members, this event will feature light refreshments and music.
  • 6:30 p.m.Homecoming Parade, High StreetAn annual homecoming tradition, the parade features WVU student organizations, athletic teams and thePride of West VirginiaMountaineer Marching Band. Morgantown-area businesses and community organizations will also participate. WVU mens basketball coach Bob Huggins will serve as the parades grand marshal.

Saturday, Oct. 20Reuniting with Friends

  • 10 a.m.Garrison tours Tent City, Milan Puskar Stadium
  • Noon WVU football vs. Mississippi State, Milan Puskar Stadium

Sunday, Oct. 21Celebrating Community

  • 11 a.m.Community Open House: WVU and Morgantown Give Back, Blaney HouseJoin the Garrisons in celebrating the spirit of volunteering. The WVU Center for Civic Engagement will also sponsor a volunteer fair to link guests with a variety of volunteer opportunities. A light brunch menu will be available.

Updates and additional details on the events and activities planned during Inauguration Week will be posted to the WVU Inauguration Web site at

http://www.inauguration.wvu.edu. Registration is required/requested for some events and can be done online by visiting the inauguration site.

Mike is planning to attend as many events as possible over the course of the week, and is really looking forward to talking with as many people as possible,Case said.We encourage folks to reserve the dates on their calendars and get involved in the celebration.

Garrison will officially take over as president of WVU on Sept. 1. Hell replace David C. Hardesty Jr. who is retiring after serving 12 years as president.