Installation of President White set for March 23
In the late 17th century, a formal, church-like ceremony took place on the young Harvard College campus in Massachusetts, acknowledging the arrival of the school’s newest president. That ritual soon spread through the other colonial colleges in what is now the eastern United States, and Austin Peay State University will continue the revered collegiate tradition when it installs Dr. Alisa White as the institution’s tenth president at 10 a.m., March 23, in the Mabry Concert Hall.
In the late 17th century, a formal, church-like ceremony took place on the young Harvard College campus in Massachusetts, acknowledging the arrival of the school’s newest president. That ritual soon spread through the other colonial colleges in what is now the eastern United States, and Austin Peay State University will continue the revered collegiate tradition when it installs Dr. Alisa White as the institution’s tenth president at 10 a.m., March 23, in the Mabry Concert Hall.
The ceremony, commemorating the latest transfer of leadership at APSU, will feature a procession of faculty in academic regalia, musical performances, speeches from dignitaries and a presidential address by Dr. White. Individuals wishing to watch the installation can view it online at .
The installation ceremony is taking place nine months after the Tennessee Board of Regents named White as APSU’s new president, following the departure of Timothy Hall. White was selected after an extensive nationwide search that resulted in four finalists visiting campus. She arrived at APSU on June 30 to begin her tenure as president.
White previously served as provost and senior vice president of Academic Affairs at the University of Texas at Tyler, where she oversaw approximately 7,500 students, 450 full-time faculty members and a $45 million operating budget. During her time at UT Tyler, White secured $4 million from The University of Texas System to establish the Patriots Applying Technology for Success program. This program was a comprehensive course redesign initiative, involving 10 academic majors and the core curriculum. Courses were redesigned to emphasize high-impact, project based learning practices to increase student learning, engagement and satisfaction.
White also was instrumental in several high-profile projects at UT Tyler, including the creation and development of the Ben and Maytee Fisch College of Pharmacy, the establishment of the Office of International Programs and the establishment of UT Tyler’s Houston Engineering Center.
The March 23 installation ceremony will pay tribute to many of academia’s ancient customs. The regalia donned by White and the other members of the academic community symbolize the gowns originally worn by teachers and students in 12th and 13th century European Universities. White will also wear a President’s medallion, a custom adopted by the original colonial colleges in the 17th century.
For more information on this event, please email inauguration2015@apsu.edu.