Preparations underway for Taylor’s March inauguration

Dr. Donald B. Taylor will be inaugurated next month as the University of Detroit Mercy’s 26th President and officials encourage all students, faculty and staff to take part in the day-long events.

The celebration on March 24 kicks off with a Mass of Thanksgiving at Gesu Catholic Church at 1 p.m. People of all faiths are invited to attend.

Taylor’s installation ceremony will take place at 3 p.m. at Calihan Hall. After the inauguration ceremony, there will be an invite-only VIP celebration dinner.

“The last inauguration was in 2012, so they don’t happen very often and it’s an exciting day,” said Ron Bernas, the university’s director of communications.

Detroit Mercy officials hope students, faculty, staff and administration from all campuses take part in the historic event.

“President Taylor will be outlining his goals for the university and I think members of the university need to know what those are in order to really participate in the campus life,” Bernas said.

If you’d like to attend, RSVPs can be made on the university’s presidential inauguration webpage.

‘What we’re looking most forward to is student participation in the event, Bernas said. “We want students to know that they’re welcome and encouraged to come.”

Students will be invited to sit in a special section to show their support for Taylor.

All students who RSVP to attend the inauguration by March 10 will receive a special t-shirt they will be asked to wear at the event. T-shirt pickup begins at 2:30 p.m. at Calihan Hall on March 24.

Faculty, librarians, administration and staff are also invited to participate in the presidential inauguration. In order to march in the processional you need to have earned a degree and will need to wear a cap and gown.

Besides members of the university community, delegates from other higher education institutions have been invited to attend.

“People are coming in from across the country to honor Detroit Mercy and our new president,” Bernas said.

Taylor joined UDM last July after spending the previous eight years as president of Cabrini University in Pennsylvania.

Additional information for his inauguration can be found at udmercy.edu/inauguration.