UI community welcomes Staben with tradition and ceremony
Although steeped in tradition, University of Idaho President Chuck Staben’s inauguration felt more like a celebration Friday afternoon.
“Today is really a pep rally for the university,” Staben said, speaking to a crowd of faculty, staff, students and state and local leaders in the Kibbie Dome. “We here today, hold the keys to our future.”
Jackson Flynn | Argonaut President Chuck Staben recieved the President’s Medallion from ASUI President Nate Fisher Sept. 19 at his official inauguration.
With the President’s Medallion hanging on his neck, Staben was welcomed as the 18th president of UI. Besides the silver and gold confetti, there was still plenty of room for ceremony and tradition.
Faculty attended the ceremony dressed in regalia, and the Vandaleers performed “Here We Have Idaho,” accompanied by the UI Wind Ensemble. The Native American Student Association also performed an honor song at the event.
Although Staben took office in March, the ceremony signaled a new direction for UI under new leadership, said Emma Atchley, president of the Idaho State Board of Education.
The ceremony drew a number of local and state leaders as a sign of support for the new president.
Gov. C. L. “Butch” Otter was in attendance, and spoke about his confidence in Staben and the importance of UI in Idaho’s history and future. He thanked Don Burnett, former UI interim president, for leading the university during the search process and easing the transition of power.
Terry Ratcliff, executive director of distance education, did not miss the significance of the event. He said he still has fond memories of attending former UI President Richard Gibb’s inauguration decades ago when he was a student at UI.
“I love the pomp and circumstance,” Ratcliff said. “It’s great.”
It was a mutual feeling between other administrators who attended the ceremony.
“It’s a historic event,” said Jeff Seegmiller, the WWAMI program director. “Everybody’s got a smile on their face.”
Jackson Flynn | Argonaut
President Chuck Staben, Ph.D. gave his Inaugural address in the Kibbie Dome on Sept. 19.
Seegmiller said he liked hearing about the history of the university and enjoyed the old photos that captured memories of past generations of Vandals. He said it was nice to hear about Staben’s vision for the university and his commitment to making UI a stronger institution moving forward.
It was the historical nature of the ceremony that brought history major Ben Bridges to the event. He said he would have liked to see more students in the audience to support the new president.
“They are missing out,” Bridges said.
He said it was refreshing to see Staben’s down-to-earth attitude and hear about his direction of the university.
Atchley congratulated Staben on the accomplishment and expressed confidence in Staben’s ability of to lead UI.
She said the SBOE looks forward to a sustained relation- ship with Staben over the upcoming years — alluding to the short tenures of many former UI presidents.
“We look forward to a fruitful, effective and long, emphasis on long, relationship with Dr. Staben,” she said, garnering a muffled chuckle from the crowd.
The ceremony ended with a surprise appearance from the Vandal Marching Band and a shower of silver and gold confetti that littered the bleachers.
Ryan Tarinelli can be reached at [email protected]