UB will officially inaugurate President John Simpson in an investiture ceremony on Oct. 15, 10 months after he took office as UB's 14th president.
To celebrate Simpson's investiture, the month of October will feature more than 60 events for faculty, students and community members.
Events will include forums, speakers, concerts, sports, and a costume ball.
James Willis, special assistant to the president, said the investiture will "highlight President Simpson's message of centrality" and bring the UB community together.
"This community is steeped in tradition and we hope to exploit that," Willis said.
Willis said the administration expects well over 1,000 people to attend the investiture ceremony, which will take place at the Center for the Arts. Over 120 delegates from universities across the world will be there.
"It really shows the global impact that UB has that is perhaps under-appreciated," Simpson said.
Simpson said he's looking forward to the investiture because a ceremony of this magnitude is the kind of ceremony a prestigious school like UB should have.
Distinguished universities worldwide have been putting the pomp and circumstance into investiture ceremonies since the twelfth century, he said.
"This is about both history and the future," Simpson said.
Simpson stressed that everyone should take advantage of the variety of events being offered.
Simpson has been in office since Jan. 1 of this year, but until this time has not been sworn into office.
Despite the pomp and ceremony surrounding Simpson's introduction, student interest remains low in the affairs of the fifth floor of Capen Hall and the upcoming events surrounding Simpson's formal investiture.
"I guess some people will find it important, but it really doesn't affect me in any way. I never had a reason to get to know (former UB) President Greiner, and vice versa, and I doubt things will be any different now," said Kyle Szymanski, a senior mathematics major.
Photo: Courtesy of SUNY
