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September 1, 2011

Discover ULM – Investiture events include dedication of George T. Walker Hall

When the University of Louisiana at Monroe community celebrates the formal investiture of ULM President Dr. Nick J. Bruno on Sunday, Oct. 2, it heralds an event that is counted among the oldest traditions in academia.

Originating in English universities and modeled after highly dignified knighthood ceremonies, investiture comes from the Latin phrase for "dress in robe." In academic circles, the term has come to mean one who will literally don the university's insignia and regalia.

Like other university investitures before it, the ceremony for Dr. Bruno will reflect the style of the university president whose investiture is being celebrated.

That is why university investiture committee members agreed to adhere closely to the "Discover ULM" theme initiated during Dr. Bruno's first year as president.

But more than just a theme, "Discovering ULM's Excellence" describes the week-long celebration that will emphasize the community-university connection and the ULM faculty, staff, students and alums who make that connection possible.

"My overall goal is that the ULM Investiture celebrate not so much my individual achievement, but the entire university's achievements as it enters its 80th year of academic excellence," said Bruno.

During the week leading to the formal ceremony, the university will host notable faculty and alumni who will help the community "Discover ULM's Excellence."

Distinguished ULM alums scheduled to speak include:

• CenturyLink Vice President Odell Riley (BBA, '83)
  
  
• Attorney-at-Law Vicki Gilliam (BA, '87 and MA, '90), whose fight for the common man was recently featured in an HBO documentary;
  
  
• Vantage Chief Executive Officer Dr. P. Gary Jones
  (BS, '78)
  
  
• Ashley Hester (BBA, '08), Director of Underwriting & Project Manager of America's Insurance in New Orleans
  
  
• Author Leo Honeycutt (BBA, '77), recently selected by state librarians as winner of the 2011 Louisiana Literary Award following publication of his book on former Louisiana Gov. Edwin Edwards.
  
  

ULM faculty will share their expertise, including internationally renowned researcher Dr. Paul Sylvester, who will talk on progress made in breast cancer research.

Professor of History Dr. Terry Jones, who will share his knowledge in celebration of the Civil War's Sesquicentennial.

Dr. Brad Keeney, the Hanna Spyker Eminent Scholars Chair in Education and subject of a full-length documentary film being produced about his life and work.

Also, sculptor Greg Johnson, who created the statue dedicated to fallen Ouachita Parish Sheriff's Office Corporal J.R. Searcy, will provide a public lecture and teach a master class to art students.

In addition, ULM will hold a special ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10:30 a.m., Friday, Sept. 30, as the Administration Building is renamed the George T. Walker Hall, after ULM President Emeritus George T. Walker who passed away earlier this year.

For a complete list of Investiture events visit www.ulm.edu/investiture or download a PDF of Investiture events.

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