USD Magazine, Fall 2003

CHMPUS SETS STHGE FOR HUGURHTION

ent Mary Lyons Installed Nov. 16 by Cecilia Chan

challenge for USO students to buy books for the community library, which has experi– enced funding cutbacks. At USO, there is little precedent for stag– ing such a momentous celebration. The installation of Author Hughes as USD's first president in 1972 was somewhat low key, because the focus at the time was on merg– ing the University of San Diego College for Men and the San Diego College for Women into one institution. The only other inaugu– ration in USD's history, chat ofAlice B. Hayes in 1995, was held during a Mass at The Immaculara church, at that time the largest venue available. Inauguration planners researched tradi– tions established at other institutions and tailored them to fir USD's character, says Coreen Pecci, chair of the inaugural commit– tee and USD's senior director of corporate relations and strategic partnerships. The inauguration and address, as well as the week of events, Petti says, will give the president a good start in reaching our to the university's students, alumni, parents, staff and friends. "T his is a community celebration," Pecci says. "It is truly a campus-wide effort."

M ary E. Lyons wants her inauguration to be more than pomp and circumstance. She wants it to put a public face on USO. Along with the pageantry of an inaugural ball, the week of events leading up to Lyons' Nov. 16 inauguration will highlight all aspects of USD's mission, from academic lectures and fine arts performances to stu– dent and alumni gatherings and a Mass in Founders Chapel. The occasion is aprly named "A Community Celebration of the University of San Diego and the Presidential Inauguration of Mary E. Lyons." "This is a significant moment in the life and history of the institution," Lyons says. "Ir allows us to celebrate our identity and sense of pride, and instills in the students chat they are a part of something bigger." The inaugural week of activities begins with an employee open house on Nov. 11, and includes the traditional USO Founders Day Vespers Service, a peacemakers forum

with international peace activists and legisla– tors, and the official installation of USD's chapter of Phi Beta Kappa (see page 4) . The activities will culminate when Lyons is offi– cially inaugurated on Nov. 16 in the Jenny Craig Pavilion and addresses the campus com– munity and invited guests for the first time. Lyons requested rhac inaugural events highlight USD's public purpose, its service to the people of the local community, its regional and global outreach, and the benefits that derive from learning about and appreci– ating rl1e gifts of a diverse community. Her ideas will be woven throughout activities at which she will meet people representing all facets of the campus and the community, and through outreach to the Linda Vista neigh– borhood rhac borders the campus. In addition to meeting with local elemen– tary school children at the Linda Vista Public Library on Nov. 14, Lyons has personally pledged $1,000 in marching funds as a

For a listing ofinaugural week events, see the pull-out schedule inside the front cover.

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FALL 2003