Inauguration

Domenico Grasso inaugurated as 51��Ƶ-Dearborn chancellor

Anonymous — Thu, 22 Sep 2022 22:48:06 +0000

Domenico Grasso inaugurated as 51��Ƶ-Dearborn chancellor Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 09/22/2022 - 18:48

This article was originally published on April 13, 2019.

The morning’s cloudy skies and intermittent spring rains didn’t seem to dampen the excitement Friday, as campus celebrated the official installation of Domenico Grasso as the university's sixth chancellor. Since beginning his tenure in August 2018, Grasso has continually challenged the campus to think big when charting out the vision for the university's next few decades. And in his formal remarks to the audience of about 600, he struck a similarly bold tone — arguing for 51��Ƶ-Dearborn to secure its status as a gateway of opportunity for all people.

Grasso has a natural authority on the topic. As a first-generation American and first-generation college student, his personal story mirrors that of thousands of 51��Ƶ-Dearborn students. And throughout his professional life, access to education has been a defining theme. His mentor and the day’s keynote speaker, Prairie View A&M University President Ruth Simmons, offered a powerful case in point — sharing a story of a time when Grasso turned down a tenured professorship at Columbia to start Smith College’s engineering program, the first at a women’s college in the U.S.

“He has demonstrated time and time again that he’s motivated by what some may perceive as old-fashioned values: He tries to do what is good and just,” Simmons said, before directing her comments personally to Grasso. “Domenico, you have been a bulwark against exclusion and elitism. Continue that work here with an understanding that you offer a wonderful example to the rest of the world.”

The Michigan Marching Band leads the procession into the Fieldhouse.

In his own speech, Grasso noted that such values have deep roots at the University of Michigan. A fan of history, he reminded the audience that creating an “uncommon education for the common man” was one of the organizing principles of the University of Michigan when it was founded in the 19th century. And as larger public universities gradually became more selective and research-driven, it was smaller, regional campuses like 51��Ƶ-Dearborn that became the torchbearers of that original working class-focused mission. Indeed, Grasso said, “serving the common good has been part of the DNA of the University of Michigan-Dearborn from its birth.”

But Grasso also was candid about the challenges that lie ahead. Widening economic inequality, the rising cost of higher education, and a crisis of faith in educational institutions are among the forces now colliding to threaten universities’ ability to reach all Americans.

“This has been the compelling narrative of our United States: that neither lineage nor wealth are necessary determinants of success,” Grasso said. “Alarmingly, we now find ourselves in an era where wealth disparity is at an all-time high and where the role of the common individual is increasingly marginalized and threatened. To be sure, we cannot allow this marginalization to go unchecked. As a society, we can ill-afford not to capitalize on the diverse wisdom, creativity and capacity of the vast majority of our population.”

To avoid that future, Grasso said regional universities like 51��Ƶ-Dearborn will have to muster their own creativity to grow their reach and reinvent how they serve their communities. Citing another lesson he learned from Simmons — that “there is nothing worse than a leader who lacks ambition” — he closed by laying out some intentionally ambitious goals. Some, he said, like pushing graduation and retention rates to the 70 percent mark, may take longer than a single term as chancellor. Others, like introducing stronger non-academic student supports, leveraging educational technology, and even fundamentally reexamining our educational model, are part of a strategic planning process that’s already underway.

“Without doubt, there remain many exciting and revolutionary advances to which we will offer witness in our lives,” Grasso said in closing. “Equally certain is that the challenges and opportunities we face will require our collective genius, imagination and resourcefulness. So let us begin this journey together, knowing that — through our collective action, creativity and determined effort — we can make a profound difference.”

View more photos of all the day's events.

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Sat, 04/13/2019 - 05:00

Grasso is spearheading an effort to reimagine the way a regional university can serve students — and the public good.

New Block M to connect campus to a maize and blue tradition — with a Dearborn twist

Anonymous — Thu, 22 Sep 2022 22:44:53 +0000

New Block M to connect campus to a maize and blue tradition — with a Dearborn twist Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 09/22/2022 - 18:44

This article was originally published on April 15, 2019.

On the eve of his inauguration — and after a week of campus whispering about a secret construction project — Chancellor Domenico Grasso unveiled what he hopes is a focal point for new traditions: a granite and bronze 51��Ƶ-Dearborn Block M on the sidewalk near the University Center.

“We are all part of the Block M. Let’s continue to build traditions around it,” Grasso said on Thursday to a group of students, faculty and staff who gathered for the unveiling.

“I want to build these connections — shared experiences — for alumni, students, faculty and staff to have,” he said. “I want us to have a proud sense of place when thinking about the University of Michigan-Dearborn. And there’s a strong sense of pride I believe we all feel when we see that Block M.”

Grasso said the Block M is a nod to one on the Diag at the “sister campus in Ann Arbor.” Legend has it that if a U-M student steps on the bronze M bad luck will come his or her way. More specifically, students are told that if they step on it before taking their first blue book exam, they will fail the exam.

“Even today, decades after graduation, I still don’t step on it when I’m there. I’m not a superstitious person, but sometimes you don’t want to tempt fate,” Grasso said, adding, “The idea is to unify our campuses through a shared idea. But that doesn’t mean that the tradition needs to be the same. As a campus, you decide.”

The 51��Ƶ-Dearborn Block M sidewalk inlay outside the University Center

Following the unveiling, students were quick to gather and discuss the new campus addition.

Junior Vivien Adams said she liked the idea of a superstition, but would prefer to see a more positive association “so students don’t avoid it and instead want to seek it out.”

Senior Christopher Holly agreed. He suggested a group singing of The Victors around it prior to finals for good luck or touching the Block M when seeking out Wolverine power to get through a tough time.

“I’m excited to make it ours,” he said. “We have traditions like the cardboard boat race. But now we have something tangible that we can see all year. I can see telling my friends, ‘Hey, let’s meet up at the Block M.’ Maybe alumni will come back and take photos with it every year and touch it for good luck.”

Regardless of the superstition attached, Adams agreed with the chancellor’s overall message about the importance of tradition — especially for a commuter campus.

“This is something that helps bring people together,” she said. “Our campus has students who come from a variety of backgrounds and places. But things like this — traditions — bind us together.”

Campus Life

Inauguration

Student Life

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Mon, 04/15/2019 - 05:00

Chancellor Domenico Grasso and student leaders revealed the granite and bronze sidewalk inlay in front of the University Center as a spot to create new campus memories and traditions.

Domenico Grasso to be formally installed as 51��Ƶ-Dearborn’s sixth chancellor on Friday, April 12

Anonymous — Sun, 07 Apr 2019 19:09:27 +0000

Domenico Grasso to be formally installed as 51��Ƶ-Dearborn’s sixth chancellor on Friday, April 12 Anonymous (not verified) Sun, 04/07/2019 - 15:09

University of Michigan-Dearborn will mark the inauguration of Chancellor Domenico Grasso with a number of events on campus this week designed to celebrate the university’s 60-year legacy of excellence while looking ahead to the next chapter. Grasso has served as the university’s sixth chancellor since Aug. 1, 2018, after unanimous approval from the U-M Board of Regents.

Inauguration day is Friday, April 12, and will begin with a faculty and student research showcase. Starting at 9:30 a.m. in the Institute for Advanced Vehicle Systems (IAVS), students will highlight their research through poster sessions and equipment displays — including the student-built Formula SAE cars and an in-development autonomous shuttle. At 10 a.m., in the IAVS Borg Warner Auditorium, eight faculty members will present lightning talks on topics ranging from food insecurity to workplace culture to presidential power in the age of Trump.

Grasso will be formally installed Friday during a 1 p.m. ceremony in the Fieldhouse. The ceremony is open to the public and also will be streamed live on the university’s Facebook page.

The ceremony will begin with a traditional academic procession from the University Center into the Fieldhouse. The procession is designed to symbolize the worldwide community of scholars to which 51��Ƶ-Dearborn belongs. It will include U-M regents and faculty and senior officers from all three University of Michigan campuses, as well as representatives from universities across the country and an alumni representative from every 51��Ƶ-Dearborn graduating class. The procession also will mark the first use of the university’s new ceremonial mace and college flags.

Prairie View A&M University President Ruth Simmons will deliver the inaugural address. Simmons previously served as president of Brown University and Smith College, where she launched the first engineering program at an American women’s college and named Grasso its founding director.

Following his installation by U-M Regental Chair Ron Weiser, Grasso will give the chancellor’s address. He is expected to speak about the critical role of a regional university and lay out his vision for 51��Ƶ-Dearborn’s future.

A community reception at Fair Lane, Home of Clara & Henry Ford will begin immediately after the installation ceremony. The reception, meant to allow the community to informally welcome the chancellor, will include music from The Friars and the Chris Codish Trio. A campus shuttle will run through 6 p.m. to assist guests from the reception to the Fieldhouse and university parking lots.

Prior to inauguration day, Grasso and his wife, Susan, will host a celebratory lunch for students. Scheduled for Thursday, April 11, at 11 a.m., the event will include live music, selfies with the chancellor, discussions about the future direction of 51��Ƶ-Dearborn and student displays.

Parking note: Parking lots E5, E6, E7 and F will be reserved for guests beginning Friday, April 12, 9 a.m. Public Safety will monitor lots closely throughout the day and may decide to open these lots for faculty, staff and student parking, depending on event attendance.

Off

Sun, 04/07/2019 - 19:08

A number of events are scheduled this week to celebrate the university’s 60-year legacy while looking ahead to the next chapter.

Inauguration details: A legacy of excellence, a future of promise

Anonymous — Mon, 01 Apr 2019 16:22:02 +0000

Inauguration details: A legacy of excellence, a future of promise Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 04/01/2019 - 12:22

Chancellor Domenico Grasso inauguration April 12

Tree buds are on the branches. Flowers are poking through the ground. New geese are appearing all over campus. It’s official — spring is in the air.

Adding to that feeling of growth and renewal, University of Michigan-Dearborn is looking forward to another welcome. But this one is in a more official capacity: Chancellor Domenico Grasso’s installation ceremony as the university’s sixth chancellor will take place Friday, April 12.

To prepare for the day, a cross-campus team came together to think of ways to best showcase 51��Ƶ-Dearborn and celebrate the future direction of the campus led by Grasso.

“There has been a tremendous amount of thought and effort that has gone into planning this event,” said Ken Kettenbeil, vice chancellor for external relations. “I cannot say enough about the creativity, attention to detail and hard work that has gone into the planning by the committee members and many others from across campus who have been pulled together to help execute the many aspects of the day. For many people attending the inauguration, this will be their first time on our campus; we really want to showcase the great things happening at 51��Ƶ-Dearborn.”

What to know more? Here are a few details about the day’s special touches. (Look for a full preview of inauguration events next week.)

• Familiar faces come back to campus. Alumni from each graduation year will join the processional into the Fieldhouse, walking to music played by the Michigan Marching Band. Rob Brown (’11 B.A.) will sing the national anthem.

• Hear from someone Chancellor Grasso considers his mentor. Prairie View A&M President Ruth Simmons, who became the first Ivy League African American president when she served at Brown, met Grasso when they were both at Smith College, the largest women’s college in the U.S.. Simmons, then Smith’s president, appointed Grasso as the founding director of Smith’s engineering program, the first at an American women’s college.

• New symbols of campus excellence. Thanks to the work of Faculty Senate, the university now has a ceremonial mace. Signifying that the proceedings have official sanction, the mace will first appear on inauguration day, but will also have a place at convocation and commencement.

“The faculty worked to create a mace that’s reflective of Michigan. Not just in the university system sense, but also for the state,” said Professor Marilee Benore, who led the charge for mace design. “The mace has elements to represent who we are as a campus community.”

It’s made of walnut, one of the native trees found in the Environmental Study Area. The ornamentation around it consists of a Michigan-shaped Petoskey stone and copper — both found in Michigan — to represent the state’s upper and lower peninsulas. The founding Ford Motor Co. gift and names of all past chancellors and their years of service are engraved in the copper.

In addition to the mace, new college flags, tapestries with the campus seal and updated signage will be part of the ceremony décor. These items will continue to be used to elevate the look of other major campus celebrations.

• The sounds of Michigan. In addition to providing music during the processional, the Michigan Marching Band will get attendees into the Go Blue! spirit by performing The Victors. Also, violinist and University of Delaware Trustees Distinguished Professor of Music Xiang Gao, a friend of the chancellor’s and University of Michigan alumnus, will perform. The New York Times cited Gao as "a rare and soulful virtuoso."

Later, at the community reception, guests can listen to The Friars, a subset of the University of Michigan Men's Glee Club, inside the historic Fair Lane — Home of Clara and Henry Ford. Or, for those who prefer the outdoors, the Chris Codish Trio will play under a large open-air tent — with a transparent ceiling to let the sun shine in — on the terrace.

• A gift with a personal touch. Before you leave, be sure to get your inauguration day gift — a memento with connections to campus and the chancellor.

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Mon, 04/01/2019 - 16:20

Perhaps you’ve heard that there’s going to be a big campus event happening later this month. Here’s a sneak peek of the April 12 inauguration of Chancellor Domenico Grasso.