Indiana State University to Install Dr. Mike Godard as 13th President

Installation Ceremony Scheduled for November 1, 2024, at 1:00 PM

Indiana State University will host a formal installation ceremony for Dr. Mike Godard, officially marking his role as the 13th president of the university, on Friday, November 1, 2024, at 1:00 PM in the Hulman Center. Dr. Godard has been serving as president since June 1, 2024, and the ceremony will serve as a public affirmation of his leadership as he takes the helm during a pivotal time for higher education and regional development. This event, including the following reception, is free and open to the entire university community and the public, who are encouraged to attend.

The ceremony will feature an academic procession, with faculty and special guests donning traditional academic regalia. It will also include the presentation of the presidential medallion, a symbol of institutional authority and continuity. Attendees will include the Indiana State University Board of Trustees members, faculty, staff, students, community leaders, government officials, and university representatives from across the country.

“We are thrilled to celebrate this important milestone for Dr. Godard and Indiana State University,” said Bob Casey, Chair of the Board of Trustees. “His vision for our institution is already taking shape, and this installation will reinforce his commitment to advancing the university’s mission of educational excellence, public service, and economic growth.”

In his installation address, Dr. Godard is expected to underscore his strategic priorities, which center on increasing student enrollment, expanding workforce development initiatives, and strengthening community partnerships. These goals align with regional needs and the state’s efforts to enhance workforce readiness and economic development.

“Indiana State University is uniquely positioned to lead on issues that matter most—access and opportunity for our current and future Sycamores, community engagement, and being a solution for the workforce needs and demands for the State of Indiana,” said Dr. Godard. “As we look to the future, I am committed to building on our rich legacy while charting new pathways of opportunity for our students, the region, and the state.”

A reception will immediately follow the ceremony in the North Concourse of the Hulman Center. Guests will meet Dr. Godard and other university leaders and celebrate this historic occasion and Indiana State’s future.

The event will also be livestreamed at www.indianastate.edu/installation.