Carnegie Mellon University

Inauguration slideshow

October 31, 2018

The Dietrich College Celebrates President Farnam Jahanian's Inauguration

By Abby Simmons

Faculty, students and alumni from the Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences played prominent roles in the inauguration of Farnam Jahanian as Carnegie Mellon University’s 10th president.

The following slideshow features highlights from Jahanian's investiture ceremony and the academic symposium that followed.

Farnam Jahanian speaks

Farnam Jahanian was formally inaugurated as Carnegie Mellon University's 10th president on Friday, Oct. 26, during a ceremony in the Cohon University Center.

In his inauguration address, Jahanian outlined two critical areas in which CMU must aggressively move forward: enhancing CMU's societal impact through research and creativity; and preparing the next generation through a world-class education.

He also announced a history-making $50 million gift for undergraduate scholarships and support from alumni Tod and Cindy Johnson, and a $30 million grant from the Allegheny Foundation for a new Scaife Hall in the College of Engineering.

Baruch Fischhoff

Baruch Fischhoff, Howard Heinz University Professor and interim director of the Institute for Politics and Strategy, served as one of two faculty marshals during President Jahanian’s formal investiture ceremony. In addition to welcoming attendees to the event, Fischhoff, fellow Faculty Marshal Mary Shaw and CMU Board Chair James Rohr presented Jahanian with Carnegie Mellon's charter, chain of office and medallion to officially appoint him president.

Marlene Behrmann

University Professor Marlene Behrmann spoke in support of Jahanian, noting his creation of and ongoing dedication to with the Task Force to Enhance the Student Experience. She also reflected on CMU’s progress over her 25 years of service.

“As links in the chain of this ongoing community, we have all forged a common bond with a perpetual commitment to improve the students’ experience, to enhance the educational opportunities, to engage our alumni, and to conduct cutting-edge research that makes a difference to our society and our world,” Behrmann said.

Roshni Mehta and Alex DiClaudio

Student Body President Roshni Mehta, a junior economics and philosophy major, and Alumni Association President Alex DiClaudio (DC 2009, HNZ 2011) joined Faculty Senate Chair Jeanne VanBriesen and Staff Council President Jessica Owens in presenting Jahanian with a commemorative sculpture of a thistle, the national flower of Scotland. They described how the thistle’s five leaves symbolize core university characteristics of strength, bravery, durability, determination and devotion.

Keith Block

Salsesforce Co-CEO Keith Block (DC, HNZ 1986), a member of CMU’s Board of Trustees, and Cornell University President Martha Pollack were guest speakers at the investiture ceremony.

Block noted the vision, passion and focus Jahanian brings to his role as the university’s president. 

“Never before has this institution been more important to the world. Never before has leadership at the intersection of technology, and society and humanity been as critical as it is right now,” Block said.

Marsha Lovett

Following the ceremony and an all-campus picnic, members of the campus community and guests gathered for an academic symposium highlighting how CMU is deepening its societal impact.

Marsha Lovett, associate vice provost for Educational Innovation and Learning Analytics, hosted the first faculty discussion, titled “Pittsburgh as a Living Laboratory.” Lovett, who also is director of the Eberly Center for Teaching Excellence & Educational Innovation and a teaching professor of psychology, shared her team’s work to create two new "instrumented classrooms" in the Tepper Quad building that provide instructors with data and feedback on their teaching and students' learning. 

Jay Aronson

Jay Aronson, professor of science, technology and society, was among faculty members featured in the second part of the symposium, titled “A Living Lab for Global Impact.” Aronson is the founding director of the Center for Human Rights Science, which brings together scientists and human rights practitioners committed to rigorously assessing the state of human rights around the world.