FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                    February 21, 2007

INVESTITURE OF PRESIDENT JANET CUNNINGHAM SET FOR APRIL 13

            Northwestern Oklahoma State University will formally invest President Janet Cunningham with the symbols of office during tradition-filled ceremonies on Friday, April 13, in Alva. State leaders in government and higher education, along with delegates from other colleges and universities are expected to attend.

            Cunningham became the 19th president of Northwestern on July 1, 2006, and her investiture will provide the University community an opportunity to celebrate her new era of leadership with the public.

            Investitures, formal ceremonies to confer the authority and symbols of high office, have been held as academic ceremonies since the Middle Ages.

            “The investiture of a new president is an historic occasion in the history of any university,” said Steve Valencia, associate vice president for university relations and co-chairman of the Investiture Steering Committee. “This will be only the second investiture ceremony conducted at Northwestern and it is special because we have the opportunity to bestow the symbols of office to an alumna.”

            Symbols to be presented during the ceremony will include an academic mace, which is the ceremonial staff of authority that is carried by administrators and faculty at the head of academic processions, and the University medallion, which is a symbol of the office of the president and is worn at ceremonial observances such as commencement.

            The academic mace is being crafted especially for the event by retired professor Dr. Jerry Brownrigg, who is nationally recognized for his wood turnings.

            “The entire Northwestern family is excited about this event because Dr. Cunningham is such a respected leader,” said David Pecha, vice president for administration and another co-chairman of the Steering Committee. “There is involvement from all across our campuses and many people have volunteered their time to make this a special event for Northwestern.”

            Investiture events begin at 11:15 a.m. with a luncheon for dignitaries and delegates in the Ranger Room of the Student Center.

            The investiture ceremony will begin inside Percefull Fieldhouse at 1:30 p.m. and is open to the public. Highlights include the traditional academic procession, special music by the University’s music groups, greetings from various constituencies, the presentation of the symbols of office and the president’s investiture address.

            Following the ceremony, a public reception honoring President Cunningham will take place in the ballroom of the Student Center.

            The final event of the day will be the President’s Investiture Ball at 8:30 p.m. inside the Merchants Building at the Woods County Fairgrounds. Music will be provided by The Imposters. Details regarding tickets and corporate tables will be released at a later date.

            Plans also are being finalized for a student event on April 12.

            Other members of the Investiture Steering Committee include Dr. Cheryl Evans, Verna Graybill, Dr. Lisa Holder, Dr. Gayla Jordan, Audra Qualls, Lizabeth Richey, Dr. Eric Schmaltz, Linda Tutwiler, Eric Wheeler, Dr. Patti Wilber and Dr. Jim Yates.

-NW-

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