TechNews

 

Kori Bowns
EDITOR—IN-CHIEF

Since IlT’s formation in 1937 after
the merge of the Armour Institute and the
Lewis Institute, Illinois Institute of Technol-
ogy has seen nine presidents in total, including
IlT’s newest president, President Alan Cramb,
who was oflicially inaugurated into the posi-
tion on Friday, September 18 in a ceremony
held in the Hermann Hall Auditorium.

In May of 2014, former President
John Anderson announced to the university
community that he would be resigning from
his position effective August 1, 2015. After this
announcement, Bud Wendorf, IIT’s Chairman
of the Board of Trustees, assembled a diverse
selection committee with the goal of selecting
IIT’s next president. In October of 2015, it was
announced that the selection committee unan—
imously selected Alan Cramb, then the Pro-
vost of the university, to follow Anderson and
become the ninth president of IIT. Cramb as-
sumed the role of president of Illinois Institute
of Technology beginning in August; Friday‘s
inauguration ceremony served as an official
celebration of his new position and his goals as
president.

The ceremony began with a proces-
sion into Herman Hall Auditorium, where

Student newspaper of lilinois Institute of Technology since 1928

President Cramb inaugurated in campus ceremony

many members of the university community
were already waiting. Members of the pro-
cession included university faculty, delegates
from other universities, university administra-
tors, members of lIT’s Board of Trustees, and
former IIT Presidents Meyer Feldberg, Lewis
Collens, and John Anderson. Those entering
the auditorium were dressed in the same for-
mal caps and gowns worn at graduation cer-
emonies, and the processional lines were led by
bagpipe players as they entered.

The event began with opening re-
marks from Wendorf as well as speeches from
Student Government Association President
Rahul Wadhwani and Faculty Council Chair
Joseph Orgel. Following these speeches, for-
mer President Collens spoke briefly and intro-
duced a video made for Cramb’s inauguration
titled “A Leader for Every Season.” The video
featured information about the progress and
improvements made to the university under
each previous president as well as included
several positive testimonials from students,
staff, and faculty regarding Cramb’s fit into the
role of president at IIT. After the conclusion of
the video, former President Anderson intro-
duced the keynote speaker for the inaugura-
tion event, Indira Samarasekera.

Samarasekera, President Emeri—

tus of the University of Alberta, spoke of her
30-year friendship with President Cramb. “I
have deeply admired his mind and his heart,
his great capacity for inspiring others, and his
extraordinary dedication to excellence and the
advancement of knowledge.” said Samarase-
kera. She also expressed her great gratitude for
being chosen to introduce President Cramb at
his inauguration. Samarasekera lightheartedly
compared Cramb’s challenges in his new posi-
tion to that of someone managing a graveyard;
she referenced a quote by Woodrow Wilson:
“Trying to change a college curriculum is like
trying to relocate a cemetery; you don’t know
how many friends the dead have until you try
to move them.”

Samarasekera also called to atten-
tion the many improvements made to the uni-
versity while Cramb served as Provost. “His
tenure as Provost at IIT was inspirational and
marked by a significant growth of the under-
graduate student body, the opening of two new
schools in the areas of applied technology and
human sciences, attracting top talent, and im-
proving the university’s financial position.” She
also spoke about Cramb’s research and work in
his field of metallurgy.

After many speeches from those
who have personally worked with President

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Cramb, many had a similar message; they ad-
mired Cramb for his willingness to listen, his
dedication and his clear vision.

Following the keynote address, Pres—
ident Cramb was oflicially inaugurated and
presented with the Presidential Chain of Of-
fice. In Cramb’s inaugural address, he outlined
four key goals for his presidency: ensuring the
success of IIT graduates by focusing on the to-
tal student experience, elevating IIT’s visibility
and reputation, building a community sup-
portive of our goals, and growing. President
Cramb closed by thanking those in attendance
and asking the IIT community to envision
their goals for the university in the future and
seeking their assistance. “It is our time to fulfil
the dreams that others have had for this uni-
versity, it is our time to live up to our potential,
and it is our time to come together as a com-
munity. It is our time, and it begins right now,”
said Cramb.

After the inauguration ceremony
came to a close, a reception took place in other
parts of Hermann Hall. Student organizations
showcased their work, refreshments were
served, and members of the IIT community
had a chance to speak with President Cramb.

 

Photos by Kori Bowns