UNT president inauguration ceremony

All members of the UNT community will be welcome at the April 13 inauguration celebration where the university will ceremonially install Gretchen M. Bataille as its 14th president.

The ceremonies and events provide UNT the opportunity to address two prominent goals of the new president -- showcasing the university's excellence and raising money for student scholarships.

The installation ceremony, the main inaugural event, is set for 10 a.m. at the UNT Coliseum.

In addition to UNT family members (students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends of the university), inauguration attendees will include delegates from national learned, professional and honor societies; delegates from colleges and universities throughout the nation; local, state and national community leaders and elected officials; among others.

At noon, immediately following the formal ceremonies, there will be an open community-wide picnic at Traditions Field (the football practice area immediately north of Fouts Field and west of North Texas Boulevard).

The celebration of President Bataille's installation will carry over into the evening at a black tie reception, dinner and dance in the University Union. This event, the Emerald Ball, is intended to raise funds for undergraduate need-based scholarships. Individual tickets cost $150 and sponsorships range from $5,000 to $50,000.

Persons who do not wish to attend the dinner, but want to enjoy the festivities, can attend the Emerald Ball After Party (the dance) for $75 per person. The dance begins at 9:30 p.m. in the Union and also is black tie.

The inaugural events aim to provide outstanding opportunities for members of the UNT family to unite, celebrate all elements of the university and move forward together.

As a celebration, the inauguration will:

* Honor President Bataille;
* Launch a new era in UNT history -- recalling the past and setting the stage for the future;
* Raise funds for need-based undergraduate scholarships;
* Celebrate UNT traditions; and
* Showcase the university's intellectual and creative talents.

The inauguration theme, "Rays of Excellence -- Rekindle. Ignite. Illuminate.," was specially selected because those words personify elements of Bataille's vision that call for strengthening UNT's national reputation.

Information from UNT