George Ross formally made president in Central Michigan University’s third investiture ceremony

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University President George Ross was a part of something that’s happened only three times in CMU history.

About 500 people attended his investiture ceremony Thursday in Plachta Auditorium.

Central Michigan University held ceremonies for the seventh university president, William Boyd, in 1969 and the 10th university president Edward Jakubauskas in 1988, according to CMU’s website.

Steve Smith, director of public relations, said university officials organized the event because Ross wanted to officially commemorate the change in leadership with an investiture ceremony.

Ross said he was “humbled” amid the ceremony, calling it “an opportune time to reaffirm my fundamental mission … to chart our course into the future.”

U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, Lt. Gov. John Cherry and Mount Pleasant Mayor Jim Holton were among the attendees who spoke on Ross’ behalf during introductory remarks.

During the ceremony, Board of Trustees Chairwoman Stephanie Comai and Vice Chairman Sam Kottamasu presented Ross with the university’s medallion to commemorate the leadership change.

Brittany Mouzourakis, a Garden City senior and Student Government Association president, spoke during the investiture. She said she identified with what Ross called his commitment to the transformative power of education because she also is a first-generation college student like him.

“President Ross is not only dedicated to the prosperity and longevity of Central Michigan University as a whole, but in satiating the educational pallet of students as well,” Mouzourakis said.

Ross said he will continue to assess and evaluate academic programs and administrative services to make adjustments and changes where necessary.

To find innovative solutions to the problems CMU faces in difficult economic times, Ross said he will make calculated risks based on data and evidence.

Ross said CMU must adapt and change in order to move forward in spite of naysayers.

“Our potential for the future is boundless,” he said.

Saginaw senior Mary Klenk, one of the 2010 Homecoming Ambassadors, said she attended the investiture because they rarely happen and she wanted to be a part of it.

“I thought (Ross) had great things to say,” she said. “You could definitely see his passion for our students and their future.”