'A good day' – Employees reflect on President Garimella's installation ceremony
Attendees applaud and capture the moment on their phones as University of Arizona President Suresh Garimella enters Centennial Hall for his installation ceremony.
Chris Richards/University Communications
On a bright and sunny Tuesday, about 800 people gathered for the installation of University of Arizona President Suresh Garimella, a celebration that left employees feeling both honored and optimistic about the university's future.
The ceremony at Old Main featured a performance by the Pride of Arizona Marching Band and Color Guard, U of A Cheer and U of A ROTC.
Bill Neumann, Professor of Practice, Department of Management Information Systems
Among the attendees were many faculty and staff members eager to hear Garimella's vision for the future.
Faculty, staff, community leaders and higher education leaders from around the country came together March 25 to see Garimella, who took the helm on Oct. 1, officially installed as the university's 23rd president in a ceremony that took place on the west lawn of Old Main and at Centennial Hall.
"I think faculty and staff representatives being there is incredibly important," said Bill Neumann, professor of practice in the Department of Management Information Systems. "It shows not only our role in the university and our presence there, but also that we are partners with the president. We need to support him as a leader, since his success is often reflected in our success as well. It was an honor.
Insights into Garimella's leadership
The ceremony gave attendees a glimpse into what has shaped the new president throughout his personal and professional journey. Garimella, a world-renowned mechanical engineer who is also Distinguished Professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at the U of A, was previously president of the University of Vermont.
"His former colleagues talked about how determined he is," said Danielle Barefoot, international research development associate with the Office of Research, Innovation and Impact and vice chair of the University of Arizona Staff Council. "I have definitely seen that in play. When he puts his mind to something, the wheels start turning and he and his team begin working toward those goals."
Barefoot's sentiment is in line with others who have had the opportunity to work with Garimella.
"We heard from multiple speakers how President Garimella works tirelessly toward achieving big goals with excellence," said John-Paul Roczniak, president and chief executive officer of the University of Arizona Foundation. "I know the U of A will benefit from his energy and dedication. I left feeling inspired and excited about this direction, with a reinvigorated sense of purpose around our land-grant mission."
Julie Funk, dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine, said she left the ceremony convinced that Garimella is the kind of leader the university needs at this moment in time.
"He's a risk taker," Funk said. "It's no small thing to be an international student. It shows he understands people who are stepping outside of their comfort zones to do something greater."
Did you miss the ceremony? Follow the links below for articles, photos and videos.
- Read or watch a recording of President Garimella's speech, "A Force for Good."
- View a photo gallery of the installation ceremony.
- View video highlights of the installation ceremony.
- Read more about the ceremony in a story on the U of A News website.
- Presidential Installation webpage
In his address, Garimella emphasized the importance of three key focus areas for the university going forward.
Danielle Barefoot, International Research Development Associate, Office of Research, Innovation and Impact, and Vice Chair, University of Arizona Staff Council
"I propose we couple a sense of urgency with purpose built around three shared strategic imperatives: access and success for every student, research that shapes the future, and engagement with our communities to create opportunity together," he said.
Garimella also commented on educators who gave him opportunities throughout his life. One particular story made a strong impression on several employees.
"I loved the story about his middle school principal handing him a slip of paper that said 'Do it now,' and how that was so meaningful for him in his early days," Funk said.
Garimella said he had that paper taped to his desk for many years.
He concluded his speech by talking about the installation ceremony as an important transition and an expression of collective will for the university. Echoing that sentiment afterwards, Garimella noted, "The day was about more than installing a new president. It was a time for the U of A and our community members to come together, grounded in tradition but looking to the future. The celebration expressed our joint commitment for what we will build in the days ahead."
A seat at the table
Melanie Madden, program manager in the Office of Curricular Affairs and chair of the Staff Council, said she was especially encouraged by staff representation at the ceremony.
"I just thought a lot about how awesome it was that staff played such an important role in the event," Madden said. "When I was invited to be on stage, I accepted because I think it's so important for staff to feel represented in these spaces. It was a real honor to be included."
Julie Funk, Dean, College of Veterinary Medicine
Barefoot agreed, saying Garimella has "built a bridge to staff" during his time at the university by making sure staff is represented in discussions about strategic imperatives and through efforts like the recent Staff Social on the Mall.
"As long as he keeps those communication channels open with staff and works collaboratively with us, I think we're heading in a great direction as an institution," Barefoot said. "I'm glad that he is here."
Pomp and circumstance
The formal ceremony – which included a color guard, a Native American blessing and a procession of faculty members dressed in regalia – gave faculty, staff, students and the community an opportunity to honor the university's history while looking forward to its future.
The event began near the Berger Memorial Fountain outside of Old Main, where Carlos Gonzales, associate dean for Indigenous affairs in the College of Health Sciences, offered a Yaqui blessing and read the university's land acknowledgment.
Melanie Madden, Program Manager for Curricular Affairs in Academic Administration, and Chair of the Staff Council
The event included appearances by mascot couple Wilbur and Wilma T. Wildcat, along with a performance by the Pride of Arizona Marching Band and Color Guard, U of A Cheer and U of A ROTC. Marshals then led a procession down University Boulevard into Centennial Hall, where attendees heard from Arizona dignitaries and some of Garimella's colleagues before the new president delivered his address.
"I expected all of the Tucson and Arizona dignitaries to be here, but I was pleasantly surprised by the representatives from other universities around the country," Madden said. "It's a reminder that we're a big player locally and a big part of the national and worldwide higher education landscape."
Speakers at the ceremony included Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs, Wolfgang Mieder, distinguished professor emeritus at the University of Vermont, and Heather Wilson, president of the University of Texas at El Paso.
Neumann said, simply put, he is a big fan of ceremony at the university.
"It reminds us of the importance of our mission and the exciting and wonderful things we get to do," Neumann said. "When you look around and you see the faculty in their regalia, you see the Pride of Arizona and the entire pageantry of what happens, you just have to think 'This is a good day.'"
Hear Garimella's speech, "A Force for Good," in the video below.