Slippery Rock University plans inauguration of new president

The new president taught at Temple and Ohio universities.
SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. -- Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania's inauguration of Dr. Robert Smith as the university's 15th president Friday will bring dignitaries and delegates from across the state and the nation as part of the daylong celebration and ceremony.
Leading the 1:30 p.m. ceremony in the University Union will be Dr. Judy Hample, chancellor of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, with Robert Marcus, chairman of SRU's Council of Trustees, and fellow trustee John Thornburg, representing the university's governing board.
Smith was appointed to the post by the state system board of governors in May after a nationwide search. He joined the university as provost in 1999 and was named interim president in 2002.
Before coming to SRU, Smith was dean of the school of arts and sciences at the University of Tennessee at Martin for 12 years and had served 19 years as a member of the Wichita State University faculty.
He has taught at Temple University and Ohio University and coached debate at Princeton University.
Honor society
The inauguration will follow SRU's installation Thursday as the newest member of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation's oldest and most selective all-discipline collegiate honor society, which offered SRU an invitation to become a member after a yearlong evaluation of its programs and educational opportunities.
Dr. William Williams, interim provost and vice president for academic affairs, will serve as master of ceremonies for the event.
Nearly 200 students, including nearly 50 from international countries, will join in the ceremony, which will include delegates representing nearly 125 higher education institutions.
Dr. Colleen Neubert, assistant professor of music, will be the soloist, with the invocation and benediction delivered by Max Speight and the Rev. James Armstrong.
The day opens at 9:30 a.m. with the arrival of delegates followed by an invitation-only luncheon and self-guided walking and van tours of campus.
A processional lineup is planned for 12:30 p.m. that will take inauguration attendees along the newly completed pedestrian walkway near North Hall across campus to the University Union. After the ceremony, a campus reception open to the entire university community will be in Boozel Dining Hall.