March, picnic to celebrate Miami University president’s inauguration

The official inauguration of Dr. Gregory Crawford as Miami University's 22nd president will include a bagpiper, the university's marching band, a march and a community picnic.

All of the Oct. 10 events are open to the public.

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The Inaugural March will leave the Hub (located in the center of campus near the university seal) at 3 p.m. and will continue up Tallawanda Road to Millett Hall.

Marchers should gather between 2 and 2:30 p.m. Others are welcome to view the march, which will include academic and student representation, a bagpiper and the Miami University marching band.

During the 4 p.m. inauguration ceremony at Millett Hall, Crawford will award the President’s Medal to Ara Parseghian (Miami ’49 and ’54)

Parseghian is a former football player, head coach at the University of Notre Dame (1964-1974) and at Miami University (1951-1955), and former sports broadcaster.

Today, Parseghian is involved with the Ara Parseghian Medical Research Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to finding a cure for the rare Niemann-Pick type C disease that claimed the lives of three of his grandchildren.

Following the inauguration, the community is invited to a 5:30 p.m. picnic and reception on the Millett Hall lawn. Free food and beverages will be served. Several of Miami’s a cappella musical groups will perform during the picnic.

Crawford began his tenure at Miami University on July 1.

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