Gregory P. Crawford Inaugurated As 22nd President Of Miami University

BY JACK REYERING, MAGGIE THOMAS
and DARICE CHAPEL
Miami University journalism students

At a ceremony filled with tradition and emotion, President Gregory P. Crawford outlined his vision for a Miami University with increased diversity and inclusion.

As the newly inaugurated president, Crawford tied his address to Miami's history and offered ideas about how to carry university traditions into the future.

“Today we open a new chapter in Miami’s 207-year history,” Crawford said. “Our gathering celebrates the entire story of this amazing university -- its proud past, its promising present, and its bright future that we’ll shape together. The world needs love, honor and our mission-driven vision to use our knowledge and skills with integrity and compassion to better our global society.”

In front of a crowd of nearly 1,000 at Millett Hall, Crawford called on students, faculty and staff to embrace four new mindsets as Miamians.

“These four mindsets of meaningful connectivity -- holistic learning, social justice, change creation, and virtuous leadership,” Crawford said, “are fundamental to what we will teach and practice at Miami to advance the remarkable story that has brought us to this point in our history.”

Tribe thanks Miami

Other speakers supported Crawford’s points, emphasizing diversity and inclusion. Perhaps the most memorable was Douglas Lankford, chief of the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma.

Lankford spoke of the relationship that the university has maintained with the Miami tribe including the Heritage Award, which were first awarded to Miami tribe students to attend the university in 1992.

“Our nation thanks Miami,” Lankford said. “This shows what collaboration, when done well, can lead to.”

Since 1992, 66 Miami tribe members have graduated from Miami, the chief said. This year alone, there are 32 undergraduate and three graduate students taking classes at Miami.

Near the end of his half-hour talk, Crawford announced news of a $40 million gift, the largest gift in Miami’s history, to the Farmer School of Business from Richard T. “Dick" Farmer, his wife, Joyce, and the Farmer Family Foundation. The money will support faculty, students, emerging programs and curricula enhancements. Farmer, a 1956 Miami graduate and founder of the Cincinnati-based uniform company called Cintas Corp., has been a leading contributor to the business school that has carried his name since 2005.

Crawford emphasized how the Farmer gift will have a significant impact on both students and the university as a whole.

“This very meaningful connection will greatly enrich support of faculty scholarship, students, emerging programs, and curricular enhancements. We won’t stop here. We’ll forge additional pathways to generate resources for academics, partnerships, scholarships, and more that will strengthen all of our efforts,” said Crawford.

Reilly adds accolades

Other speakers, like Associated Student Government President Maggie Reilly, shared how her experiences with the Crawfords have impacted her.

“They have empowered every student and student organization they’ve encountered,” she said from the Millett stage.

Reilly emphasized how quickly the Crawfords have demonstrated a strong concern for the students.

“From day one, they have continually had students at the forefront of their minds. They inspire students to have the independent thoughts and curiosity of their own,” said Reilly.

As the crowd made its way out to the lawn of Millett to enjoy a picnic, several students shared their reactions from the Crawford’s remarks and the ceremony as a whole.

Students join well-wishers

Madison Ittel, junior, said she learned about Miami’s history.

“My favorite part was listening to the Miami chief. The things he said were things I had never heard before…. I learned a lot from that,” said Ittel.

Senior Jonathan Trainer said he enjoyed Crawford’s remarks about a liberal arts education.

“I kind of agree with the whole liberal arts education. It kind of put into words what I was thinking. It helps you get more curious, about different parts of sciences,” said Trainer.

Audriana Nigg, class of 2016, was both impressed at the ceremony and shared the significance about what she saw.

“I just thought it was really special that we actually got to witness it. It only happens every 10 years, and I thought it was very well put together.”

Day began with procession

Earlier in the day, students joined a procession from The Hub to Millett.

“I saw that people were gathered there, even earlier than the event started, lining up for the march," senior Annie Geocaris said. "It was really cool seeing not only Greek life, but you could see tons of different clubs on campus gathered, with different meanings behind them.”

With bagpipers and flag bearers joining the march to Millett, sophomore Michaela Collins said events seemed to reflect Crawford's priorities.

"It shows kind of how there’s something exciting coming to campus," Collins said. "I know he has a really strong desire to bring more diversity and inclusion, and I think that’s awesome to make campus feel like a great place for everybody.”

Senior Shanice Chevalier, who calls Trinidad home, was among the international students bearing her country's colors. “It meant a lot for me to be able to carry my country’s flag. I would love to see more diversity on Miami’s campus as well as more resources for international students because it’s easy to feel lost in a new country and environment.”

103 days of Love and Honor

The Crawfords shared their excitement to officially be a part of the Miami community.

“Greg and I can proudly say we are a part of Miami too,” Renate Crawford, now Miami's official ambassador and an adjunct physics professor, said in her remarks at the main event.

In his 103rd day on the job, Crawford ended his remarks by evoking Miami's Code of Love and Honor, a now-common theme in his public remarks and Twitter traffic. Earlier, the flag-bearing international students recited the code in their native languages.

“Today, we commence our new journey together as One Miami," Crawford said. "With love and honor and immense gratitude, I thank you all for celebrating the beginning of that journey with us, and I am humbled and honored to be part of the Miami family.”