The February 5 celebration at University Theatre featured bagpipes, speeches from university leaders, and a community fair highlighting Hu's vision for social mobility and research excellence.
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The February 5 celebration at University Theatre featured bagpipes, speeches from university leaders, and a community fair highlighting Hu's vision for social mobility and research excellence.
It's hard to pull off an event that is both ceremonial and celebratory. Last Thursday's inauguration of UCR's new chancellor, Dr. Shixin Jack Hu at the University Theatre, did not disappoint. Bracketed by processional and recessional marches to the tune of the bagpipes of the kilted UCR Pipe Band and punctuated by musical and video interludes, the inauguration proceeded briskly through its ninety-minute duration.
Arriving in Riverside last July, Hu has come a long way from his native China. Born in Hunan province, he received a bachelor's degree from Tianjin University. He conducted his graduate studies at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, earning both his M.S. and Ph.D. in mechanical engineering. In 1995, he joined the faculty there, eventually rising through administration to the post of vice president for research for the entire University of Michigan System. The University of Georgia recruited him in 2019 to serve as senior vice president for academic affairs and provost.
After the opening events of the inauguration, Hu received a series of greetings from a variety of leaders. These included: Janet Reilly, Chair of the University of California Board of Regents; Kenneth Barish, Chair of the Riverside Division of the Academic Senate; Paige Mejia, President of the UCR Staff Assembly; Wally Bakare, Chair of the UCR Foundation Board of Trustees; Leida Haidar, President of the Associated Students of UCR; Jordan Steinhauser, President of the UCR Graduate Student Association; and Josefina Cachola, President of the UCR Alumni Association Board of Directors. All spoke about their enthusiasm for Chancellor Hu and for UCR and Riverside as well. A recurrent theme was mention of UCR as the number one university nationally for social mobility as ranked by U.S. News and World Report. UCR has received this ranking five out of the seven times since the category was created.
It speaks to Hu's level of accomplishment as well as UCR's reputation that the next two speakers represented the two institutions where his career developed. Those speakers came from the highest levels of leadership. Jon Kinsey, a vice president of the University of Michigan, and Jere Morehead, the president of the University of Georgia reminisced about their interactions with Hu and his successes.
Next, it was time for the installation ceremony. James Milliken, president of the University of California system, gave a brief address. Then he formally declared Hu the 10th chancellor of the University of California Riverside.
Chancellor Hu gave a sweeping inaugural address. He reviewed his own journey, thanking those who had made a difference in his career. Then he detailed the evolution of UCR, from its beginnings as the second campus of the University of California, to its growth and development to the present day.
Hu turned towards the future with a vision statement: "UC Riverside will be the nation's model for an inclusive, innovation-driven public research university where excellence and social mobility advance together, where discoveries, talent, and opportunity transform Inland Southern California and the world."
Hu laid out five "commitments" to attain that vision:
"First, we deepen our commitment to student success and social mobility. Our second commitment is to accelerate mission-driven research and innovation. Third, we will expand UCR Health. Our fourth commitment is to power the economic and cultural future of Inland Southern California through partnership. Our fifth and final commitment is to build a shared future as a university that stands by its students, faculty, and staff, and its community."
Hu concluded his speech, but the event was not over. After the recessional audience members found a celebratory fair on the Rivera lawn. Food stalls featured an array of goodies, from grilled cheese sandwiches to UCR cookies. A stage was set for entertainment, ranging from taiko drumming to folkloric dancing. As I looked out over the hundreds of happy participants, I realized that they represented students, faculty, staff, and the community, just as Hu promised in his final commitment.
More information: Watch the full inauguration ceremony at youtube.com (90 min. video)
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