Garimella holds up the U of A's ceremonial mace alongside Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs (far left), Arizona Board of Regents Chair Cecilia Mata (second from left) and Leila Hudson, chair of the U of A faculty.
Chris Richards/University Communications
The installation ceremony began on the west side of Old Main, where Garimella and a processional of university leaders stood by during performances, a display by the U of A Color Guard and a traditional Yaqui blessing.
Chris Richards/University Communications
The installation ceremony began on the west side of Old Main, where Garimella and a processional of university leaders stood by during performances, a display by the U of A Color Guard, and a Yaqui blessing.
Chris Richards/University Communications
The event included familiar U of A traditions, including a performance by the Pride of Arizona Marching Band.
Chris Richards/University of Arizona
Carlos Gonzales, associate dean for Indigenous affairs in the College of Health Sciences, gave a Yaqui blessing at the start of the event outside Old Main.
Chris Richards/University Communications
"From me, you will get an unwavering and disciplined focus on our North Star and our strategic imperatives," Garimella said during his installation address, referring to the initiatives of student success, university research and community engagement. "Together, let us help this wonderful institution claim its place as a true force for good."
Chris Richards/University of Arizona
Garimella with Wilbur and Wilma T. Wildcat, the university's iconic mascot couple.
Chris Richards/University of Arizona
Garimella takes the stage following the processional into Centennial Hall.
Chris Richards/University of ArizonaThe University of Arizona celebrated the formal installation of Suresh V. Garimella as its 23rd president on Tuesday in a ceremony filled with university traditions.
The event kicked off near the Berger Memorial Fountain outside Old Main. Carlos Gonzales, associate dean for Indigenous affairs in the College of Health Sciences, gave a Yaqui blessing and read the university's land acknowledgment recognizing that the campus is on the homelands of the O'odham and Yaqui.
The event included appearances by Wilbur and Wilma T. Wildcat, the university's iconic mascot couple, and 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 processional down University Boulevard into Centennial Hall, where about 800 attendees were seated.
Garimella, in his address, emphasized student success, university research and community engagement as three key focus areas for the university going forward. He called for the campus community to unite behind the university's mission, and he promised to be a source of clarity for the institution.
"From me, you will get an unwavering and disciplined focus on our North Star and our strategic imperatives," Garimella said.
"Together, let us help this wonderful institution claim its place as a true force for good."
View more photos on the Installation website.