You are Cordially Invited to the
Investiture of
Dr. Lynnette Zelezny
as
President
California State University
Bakersfield
Friday, May 3, 2019
Investiture Ceremony 10 A.M.
CSUB Amphitheatre
"Taste of Bakersfield" Community Reception 12–3 P.M.
CSUB Don Hart East Lawn and Alumni Park
"We rise together to build a brighter future for our University, our students and our region."
– President Lynnette Zelezny
What is an Investiture?
Defined as the "act or ceremony of conferring the authority and symbols of a high office," an investiture is an academic ceremony in which a new leader is "vested" with the official powers of office. Held during a president's first year in office or at the conclusion of the first year, an investiture provides an opportunity to welcome a new chapter in a university's history and celebrate as a community.
The installation of a new president is a ceremony of dignity with many academic traditions and protocols. It includes an academic procession of delegates from other colleges and universities as well as the institution’s own faculty. Marchers wear the colorful academic regalia of their own institution. Interspersed with musical selections, the event includes greetings from members of the university community.
During President Zelezny’s investiture, as with prior ceremonies for CSU presidents, the Presidential Medallion will be conferred. The Presidential Medallion is a symbol of President Zelezny’s responsibilities to the university.
University Symbols and Traditions
The University Mace
Derived from medieval weapons, the ceremonial mace acquired academic significance when Queen Elizabeth I presented a replica of her own royal mace to the University of Oxford in 1589. King Charles I made a similar gift to Cambridge University in 1625.
Today, the mace is symbolic of university authority, transcending the tenure of individual presidents. Protocol requires the use of the mace in the processional and recessional of major academic ceremonies.
The CSUB maces were donated by the Kegley family in honor of Charles W. Kegley, husband and father. They were designed by CSUB student Jill Thayer.
Gallery: First 100 Days
Sponsors
Investiture Ceremony Sponsor
Investiture Community Reception Sponsor
President's Private Reception Sponsor
Learn More About Sponsors
A weeklong celebration, CSUB will be conferring President Zelezny with the official powers of the office.
We invite you as a community member, faculty, staff, administrator, and student – to provide us with feedback. Using the form below, please offer your feedback or share any important questions you may have.