by Stephanie Kitts
Daily Lobo
David Schmidly will be inaugurated as UNM's 20th president on Sunday, and there are activities leading up to it all week.
Schmidly said the theme for inauguration week is "Connect" because having a good relationship with the University is crucial to student success.
"I want us to connect everything we need to help the success of every single student," he said. "I want people to know that I am here to work with everyone toward the good of the students."
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Throughout the week, there will be symposia and speakers from around the country, said Breda Bova, chief of staff for the office of the president.
"We're encouraging faculty to bring their classes to some of the events," she said. "You don't get an opportunity to see some of these speakers every day."
Today's events include "Connections: Natural History, Aesthetics, and Conservation," featuring Harry Green of Cornell University. It will be in the SUB ballrooms from 9 to 11 a.m.
There's a list of inauguration week activities on UNM's Web site.
The inauguration ceremony is at 2:30 p.m. Sunday at Popejoy Hall.
There will be a reception at the University House after the ceremony for everyone to get to know Schmidly, Bova said.
The inauguration is important because it formalizes the relationship between the president and the UNM community, Schmidly said.
The week was structured to give everyone an opportunity to visit campus, he said.
"I hope we have a lot of people come, and I hope they bring their children," he said. "Hopefully, those people will be encouraged to become students someday."
Schmidly said he has been compiling a strategic vision for the University since he took office in June.
"I wanted to align everything so that we were all working in the same direction," he said. "It's so important at a university to align all those involved."
Monday:
"Connections: Natural History, Aesthetics, and Conservation," featuring Harry Green of Cornell University (SUB ballrooms, 9 to 11 a.m.).
"Linking Time, Place and Culture: The Museums and Collections of UNM," featuring Michael Mares of the University of Oklahoma (SUB ballrooms, 10 to 11 a.m.).
"Connecting the Arts, Humanities and Social Conscience," featuring Guillermo Gomez-Pena (Rodey Theatre, Center for the Arts, 2 to 4 p.m.).
Tuesday:
"Educating for Innovation: Connecting UNM to the World's Challenges," featuring Keith Sawyer of Washington University and Robert W. Galvin with Galvin Electricity Initiative (SUB ballrooms, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m).
A main campus reception for faculty, staff and students from 3 to 5 p.m. at University House. The president and his wife, Janet, will walk around and greet people.
Thursday:
"Creating Health Policy to Connect and Improve Community Health" with Edward O'Neil with the Center for the Health Professions (Health Sciences Center Domenici Center Auditorium, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.).
A retiree reception from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at the Science and Technology Park Rotunda.
A Health Sciences reception for faculty, staff and students from 1 to 3 p.m. on the HSC plaza.
Friday:
"Connecting Athletics & Academics," featuring NCAA President Myles Brand (SUB ballrooms, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.).
Saturday:
"Explore UNM," 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., a campus open house for prospective and current students and their families. During the open house, schools, colleges and departments will showcase facilities, programs and support services. An information fair at the SUB features more than 60 academic and support programs.
High school senior day, where seniors bring their parents to showcase the University. Students can register and tour the University and residence halls.
Sunday:
The inauguration of the president at Popejoy at 2:30 p.m. There will be a reception at University House for everybody afterward (starts at 4 p.m.).
