Invitations sent, schedule set for celebrations of Dr. Tisa Mason’s presidency, Sept. 12-15

08/03/18
NOTE: Media passes for the inauguration ceremony in Gross Memorial Coliseum are available by calling University Relations and Marketing, 785-628-4206, or emailing jeblackmon@fhsu.edu.

HAYS, Kan. – Invitations are being sent this week for events celebrating the inauguration of Dr. Tisa Mason as the 10th president of Fort Hays State University.

President Mason will receive the symbols of her office – the mace and the presidential medallion – in a ceremony at 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 14, in Gross Memorial Coliseum. The inauguration will be streamed live. The link will be announced closer to the event.

“The inauguration is intended to be a community-friendly series of events to mark the change of leadership and celebrate Fort Hays State University’s place in the region, state, nation and world,” said Janette Meis, chair of the Inauguration Committee and event planner for the Office of the President.

“The inaugural event is where the past and present come together,” said Meis. “As Dr. Mason is officially installed as the university’s president, we honor the strengths of our history and traditions, and at the same time we put our focus on the future. All members of the Fort Hays State community and public are making a commitment to each other, that whatever challenges and innovations are coming, we will face them together.”

Activities begin with the opening of an exhibit of letters and certificates of congratulations in Forsyth Library. A special worship service before and a festival on the Quad afterward will bracket the inauguration ceremony on Friday. The celebration continues on Saturday with a service project event for SWIPEOut Hunger and the Tiger-Ichabod football game Saturday night.

Deadlines apply for some events:

• Faculty, staff and academic delegates who plan to march in the inaugural procession must RSVP by Aug. 24.
• The deadline for ordering regalia for the march is Aug. 20.

The appropriate forms for responding are available through the RSVP link in the sidebar of the inauguration home page at www.fhsu.edu/inauguration/.

An RSVP is also requested for persons who plan to participate in the Celebration on the Quad, which will begin at 11:30 a.m. following the inauguration ceremony. That RSVP form is also available through the RSVP link on the inauguration home page.

The inauguration home page also has links to:

• A biography of President Mason.
• A map of the campus with parking and shuttle information.
• A section on the university’s inaugural traditions, including the history of the mace and medallion.
• A link to the FHSU Alumni Association’s Send a Greeting page to offer congratulations to President Mason.
• A listing of local hotels that are participating in special block rates.
• A link to information on special inauguration deals on merchandise from the Tiger Spirit Shop, located in the university’s Memorial Union; Tiger Book Shop, 507 W. Seventh; and from Tiger Gold on Friday partners.
• The schedule of events.

The schedule of events is also presented here:

Wednesday, Sept. 12

Dr. Mason Inauguration Exhibit Opening 
Forsyth Library – 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

View an exhibit of letters and certificates of congratulations, on display through Homecoming weekend (Sept. 27-29).

Friday, Sept. 14

Community Event 
Worship Service, Celebration Community Church, 5790 230th Ave. Gather at 7:30 a.m.; Service at 8 a.m.

Ceremony Lineup
Cunningham Hall – 9:15 a.m.
FHSU faculty and staff (current and retired) and academic delegates from other universities who are marching in the ceremony will begin lining up in Cunningham Hall, adjacent to the coliseum, at 9:15 a.m. RSVPs, through the links on the website, are required.

Inauguration Ceremony 
Gross Memorial Coliseum – 10 a.m.
RSVPs are not required to attend the inauguration ceremony.

Celebration on the Quad 
FHSU Quad – 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. 
Dr. Mason’s inauguration will be celebrated with food and activities on the Quad and will include an opportunity to congratulate Dr. Mason in person. RSVPs are requested through the links on the inauguration Web page to assist in planning food quantities. Shuttle service will be available from the Coliseum, Gate 2, to the Quad.

Morning classes will be cancelled until 12:30 p.m. for FHSU students.

Saturday, Sept. 15

FHSU Family Day 
FHSU campus – all day 

Full details are available through the Fall Family Day website, www.fhsu.edu/fye/familyweekend/.

Inauguration Service Project:  SWIPEOut Hunger Event
Forsyth Library – 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. 
In partnership with FHSU's Global Leadership Project and Numana, volunteers will participate in a festive, hands-on opportunity to "roll up your sleeves and feed the hungry."

Football: FHSU vs. Washburn 
Lewis Field Stadium – 7 p.m. 
Visit FHSU Athletics, https://fhsuathletics.com/, for game ticket and tailgate information.