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Dr. Richard Helldobler Will Be Celebrated as William Paterson University’s Eighth President During Formal Investiture Ceremony on October 5

President Richard J. Helldobler

The formal investiture of Dr. Richard Helldobler as the eighth president of William Paterson University will be held on Friday, October 5, 2018 on campus.  All faculty and staff have been invited to attend.

A colorful, traditional academic procession will precede the ceremony and will begin at 10:30 a.m. Joining President Helldobler for this milestone will be presidents, administrators, and faculty representing colleges and universities in New Jersey and beyond; members of the University’s faculty, staff, and administration; students; alumni; members of the Board of Trustees and Foundation Board; elected officials, and other members of the community, who will process across campus from the University Commons to Shea Center, where the ceremony will begin at 11:00 a.m. Faculty and staff are invited to attend the luncheon in the University Commons Ballrooms after the ceremony.

“This is an exciting and historic event for the entire campus community, and one that is filled with the pageantry of the academy,” says Robert Seal, chief of staff to the president and the Board of Trustees.  “I hope all faculty and staff will join the Board of Trustees and the University community as we formally welcome President Helldobler to William Paterson.”

The ceremony will include greetings from speakers representing the higher education institutions in New Jersey, as well as William Paterson’s faculty, alumni, and students. Several guests of President Helldobler will also speak, including Jacqueline Taylor, retired provost of The College of New Jersey; Michelle Behr, chancellor of the University of Minnesota, Morris; and Charles R. Middleton, president emeritus of Roosevelt University, who will give a keynote address. President Helldobler will also deliver remarks.  Michael Seeve, the incoming chair of the Board of Trustees, will confer the presidency on Dr. Helldobler, ceremonially presenting him with the president’s robe in the University’s colors of orange and black, the President’s Medal, and the University mace. Musical selections will include Fanfare on the William Paterson Rhythm, written by Donato Fornuto, a retired professor of music.

In addition to the ceremony on Friday, a concert titled A Celebration of the Arts will be held on Saturday, October 6 at 7:00 p.m. in Shea Center, preceded by a reception at 6:00 p.m. on the Shea Center Patio.  The event will feature a wide range of musical and theatrical performances.

Faculty and staff who plan to attend are asked to RSVP by Monday, September 24 at www.wpunj.edu/investiture.