2024年4月20日
On 2024年4月20日, the 哥伦比亚大学 校董会 welcomed 学生s, 教师, 工作人员, 校友, 社区成员, academic delegates from across the country, and friends and family of the 生气 family to celebrate the installation of Dr. 约翰H. 生气 as the 21st President of 哥伦比亚大学. Many brought greetings to the president during the ceremony, including Mayor of Columbia Daniel Rickenmann, President Emeritus of the University of South Carolina Dr. 哈里斯Pastides, 教师, 工作人员, 学生, and 校友 representatives from the College, along with special greetings from his family. Following the Oath of Office presented by the 教务长 of 哥伦比亚大学, Dr. Kristine Barnett, and the Installation by Chairman of the 校董会, Ben Rex, Dr. 约翰H. 生气 gave his address to all gathered, sharing words of insight and vision for the historic institution, rooted in tradition and committed to the future.
Following the Investiture Ceremony, the 就职典礼 Celebration continued with a reception on the R. 莱特斯皮尔斯购物中心, overlooking the new open space in the center of campus, as a physical reminder that the best is yet to come for 哥伦比亚大学 and the leadership of Dr. 生气. Chair of the 校董会 Ben Rex shared, “Dr. 生气 is building a culture of unrestrained vision paired with pragmatic strategy. His leadership will foster an era of growth and achievement that will transform our campus and broaden our impact. Our trustees are very motivated to support John’s vision, and 哥伦比亚大学’s future is incredibly bright.”
Dr. 生气 draws on more than two decades of experience in leadership positions at various colleges and universities. As the Institute Community and Equity Officer at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Chief Diversity Officer and Senior Associate 教务长 at the University of South Carolina, and President of Kennedy-King College in Chicago, Dr. 生气 has proven leadership skills, complemented by a passion for building caring communities in higher education. Dr. 生气 received his Bachelor of Science in marketing from South Carolina State University and was presented a Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2015. He earned both a Master of 业务 Administration degree and a Doctor of Education degree from DePaul University in Chicago.
Community partners from across the midlands came together to support the event. Without the generosity from platinum sponsor Sodexo, gold sponsor Terminix, 还有很多其他的, the celebration honoring the new president and celebrating 哥伦比亚大学 would not have been possible.
Dr. 生气 assumed his role as president on July 17, 2023. Since his first day, he has facilitated extensive development on campus. Whether enhancing physical spaces like the center of campus, adding dimension to campus life through a Men’s Basketball program to launch in Fall 2024, or even filling key roles in leadership like Vice President of 学生事务 and Dean of Students, 哥伦比亚大学 is undoubtedly moving forward. Under the leadership of President 约翰H. 生气, it is clear that 哥伦比亚大学 is on the rise.