Boston University

09/27/2024 | News release | Distributed by Public on 09/27/2024 20:53

Video Highlights from Melissa L. Gilliam’s Inauguration as BU President

Video Highlights from Melissa L. Gilliam's Inauguration as BU President

An estimated 2,000 people turned out as the University's 11th president in 185 years was formally installed in office at Agganis Arena September 27

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Video Highlights from Melissa L. Gilliam's Inauguration as BU President

An estimated 2,000 people turned out as the University's 11th president in 185 years was formally installed in office at Agganis Arena September 27

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Video Highlights from Melissa L. Gilliam's Inauguration as BU President

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Video Highlights from Melissa L. Gilliam's Inauguration as BU President

September 27, 2024
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As an estimated 2,000 people looked on, Melissa L. Gilliam was installed as Boston University's 11th president at an inauguration ceremony at Agganis Arena on September 27. The historic event was marked by pageantry, music, and a nod to BU's rich history.

A procession of 800-including members of the platform party, deans and faculty from each of the University's schools and colleges, vice presidents, trustees, members of the University Advisory and International Advisory Boards and Alumni Council, as well as ceremonial delegates from more than 60 universities, colleges, and learned societies from across the country and Canada-entered the arena to music by the University Brass Choir.

Ahmas Fakahany (Questrom'79), chair of BU's Board of Trustees, welcomed the assembled audience before introducing the various speakers. The event included prerecorded remarks by Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, who were unable to attend in person.

On hand for the historic moment were Gilliam's immediate predecessors, Robert. A. Brown, who was BU's 10th president from 2005 to 2023, and Kenneth Freeman, who served as interim president during the search for Brown's successor.

In keeping with tradition, Gilliam was presented with a framed copy of Boston University's charter beforereceiving the President's collar. She was then seated in the Founders' Chair, so named because BU's three founders-Lee Claflin, Isaac Rich, and Jacob Sleeper-met in Rich's home in 1869 to sign a petition asking the state legislature to charter Boston University as a new corporation and each sat in Rich's favorite chair to sign the document.

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  • BU Today staff

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  • Alan Wong

    Executive Producer

    Alan Wong oversees a team of video producers who create video content for BU's online editorial publications and social media channels. He has produced more than 300 videos for Boston University, shuffling through a number of countries in the process: Australia, Argentina, Peru, Ireland, China, and Cambodia. He has also bored audiences in Atlanta and Boston giving talks on video for higher ed. Profile

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