Students and faculty of California State University, Stanislaus are cordially invited by the Chancellor and CSU Board of Trustees to commemorate the Investiture of Dr. Joseph F. Sheley. The festivities will be held on campus Nov. 22 with an academic processional at 10:30 a.m., a ceremony at 11 a.m. and a reception immediately following.
The processional and ceremony will take place in the Fitzpatrick Arena and the reception will be in the Main Dining Hall. The event will feature a speech outlining President Sheley’s long-term vision for the university.
The investiture for President Sheley is less than a month away and many students are unaware of what an investiture is.
According to the events website, “an investiture is the formal ceremony conferring the authority and symbols of high office.”
Universities view investitures as a way to welcome a new CSU president and to celebrate as a community.
Investiture ceremonies have been practiced since the middle ages and have picked up many traditions. These traditions include the regalia, mace and the presidential medallion.
The regalia is the traditional attire that academics wear on special occasions dating back to the fourteenth century.
Traditionally, the gowns are either black or of the university’s colors with four bars on the sleeves. This academic dress will be worn by President Sheley and others at the investiture.
The mace will precede the procession and will be carried by the chair of the Academic Senate, Dr. John Garcia.
Lastly, the presidential medallion will be placed on President Sheley’s shoulder by CSU Chancellor Timothy White.
According to the event’s website, by wearing the medallion it will represent Sheley’s, “symbolic investment with the authority and responsibility of his position as the university’s 10th president.”
CSU Chancellor Timothy White, various CSU presidents and other dignitaries, along with members of the public and the community are expected to attend. This event is expected to draw more than 1,000 people. All attendees are required to RSVP.
For more information about this event go to csustan.edu/one.
Editors Note: Changes were made to the ninth paragraph for clarity and a quote was fixed two paragraphs later to the correct language found on the event’s website.