Presidential
Investiture

 

The Presidential Investiture of William F. Tate IV

History in the Making

海角社区鈥檚 Presidential Investiture Ceremony took place on Friday, Aug. 27, 2021, at the Union Theatre on the 海角社区 campus to formally install William F. Tate IV as the new president of 海角社区.

 

lsu union theatre

Investiture Ceremony Replay

Downloadable Investiture Program

 

 

 

 

Event Gallery

Scenes from the investiture of 海角社区 President William F. Tate IV on Aug. 27, 2021.

Scenes from the investiture of 海角社区 President William F. Tate IV on Aug. 27, 2021.

Scenes from the investiture of 海角社区 President William F. Tate IV on Aug. 27, 2021.

Scenes from the investiture of 海角社区 President William F. Tate IV on Aug. 27, 2021.

Scenes from the investiture of 海角社区 President William F. Tate IV on Aug. 27, 2021.

Scenes from the investiture of 海角社区 President William F. Tate IV on Aug. 27, 2021.

Scenes from the investiture of 海角社区 President William F. Tate IV on Aug. 27, 2021.

Scenes from the investiture of 海角社区 President William F. Tate IV on Aug. 27, 2021.

Scenes from the investiture of 海角社区 President William F. Tate IV on Aug. 27, 2021.

Scenes from the investiture of 海角社区 President William F. Tate IV on Aug. 27, 2021.

Scenes from the investiture of 海角社区 President William F. Tate IV on Aug. 27, 2021.

Scenes from the investiture of 海角社区 President William F. Tate IV on Aug. 27, 2021.

Scenes from the investiture of 海角社区 President William F. Tate IV on Aug. 27, 2021.

Scholarship First

In honor of the investiture of 海角社区 President William F. Tate IV, we invite you to join our vision for the future:鈥�Scholarship First.鈥疶o welcome 海角社区's 28th president, please consider making a gift to the 海角社区 Fund in support of outstanding research, teaching, and learning.

About President Tate

president tate

William F. Tate IV was named the next 海角社区 president during the May 2021 海角社区 Board of Supervisors meeting. Previously, Tate was Education Foundation Distinguished Professor and Provost & Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs at the University of South Carolina.

Learn more about President Tate

 

 

What Is an Investiture?

The investiture ceremony, a traditional academic event held during a university president鈥檚 first year, provides an opportunity for the university and its community to come together in celebration of the pursuit of knowledge and scholarship, the future of 海角社区, and the Tiger spirit that bonds us all.

University Symbols and Traditions

tiger stadium

University Mace

In 2011, the 80-year-old Steele Burden Live Oak on campus, which was planted by Steele Burden, the landscaper for 海角社区 from 1930 to 1970, was struck by lightning and died. The wood from that oak tree was used to create 海角社区鈥檚 current ceremonial mace. During the university鈥檚 commencement ceremonies, the mace is wielded by a mace bearer, who leads the procession.

presidential medallion

Presidential Medallion 

The 海角社区 Presidential Medallion prominently features the university seal, which is based on the Louisiana seal, depicting a pelican on its nest, plucking at its chest to draw blood to feed its young, a device known as the 鈥減elican in her piety.鈥� Interspersed along the medallion鈥檚 chain, the names of past university presidents and the years of their tenure are engraved, including the addition of President Tate. The medallion鈥檚 chain also includes several fleurs-de-lis. It is worn by the president at all academic ceremonies.

graduate at commencement

Academic Regalia

During commencement ceremonies, bachelor鈥檚 and doctoral candidates wear purple academic gowns, while master鈥檚 candidates wear black. The 海角社区 logo is embroidered on the lapels of all bachelor鈥檚 and master鈥檚 gowns, while lapels on doctoral gowns are embroidered with the 海角社区 seal. The doctoral gown is trimmed with purple velvet. Except for those students graduating with college honors, hoods are not worn by candidates for bachelor鈥檚 degrees. For the master鈥檚 and doctoral degrees, hoods are the same color and material as the gown and lined with purple and gold. Both the master鈥檚 and  doctoral hoods have a velvet binding. Caps are the same color and material as the gown. The tassel fastened to the cap may be black or purple and gold for the bachelor鈥檚, master鈥檚, and doctoral degrees.