The University of Toledo celebrated the Inauguration of Dr. James Holloway with a ceremony filled with tradition and promise for the institution’s future.
The event on Oct. 16 began with hundreds of UToledo faculty, administrators, students, and representatives from other universities walking in a processional from the Thompson Student Union to Savage Arena where the formal ceremony officially installed the President with the presentation of the Articles of Incorporation from the University’s founding on Oct. 12, 1872 and the medallion worn around by the President at all formal academic occasions.
The Inauguration Ceremony of Dr. James Holloway as UToledo’s 19th president began with a processional from Thompson Student Union to Savage Arena.
The ceremony included greetings and gifts from leaders of stakeholder groups on the stage, video messages from U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur and Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, and a welcome video with messages from groups across campus.
In his Inauguration Address, Holloway shared his vision for UToledo in a message organized around our purpose as a research university dedicated to supporting the professional learning and future success of our student, our promise to remain in service to our place in the greater metropolitan region of Toledo and to its people, and our pride in recognizing and sharing that we are providing world-class contributions to human knowledge and health.
“Today is about the reaffirmation of a purpose, the renewal of a promise and the recognition of pride. Purpose, promise and pride,” Holloway began his remarks. “Today is about who we are as a university. And so, I start by declaring this: From our founding, we have never been simply a university in Toledo. Rather, we have ever been The University for Toledo.”
Holloway acknowledged the challenges facing UToledo and higher education more broadly, nodding to the University’s history of weathering difficult times before and looking forward with action.
The University’s new leader outlined his bold actions for UToledo’s next chapter organized as three launch pads that will define the Rocket trajectory: Advantage Toledo to distinguish our educational mission and attract new learners, Innovate Toledo to grow our research impact and strengthen our region economically, and Healthy Toledo to support the health and well-being of our region.
Holloway holds UToledo’s Articles of Incorporation, dating back to the University’s founding on Oct. 12, 1872, as part of his official installation.
Advantage Toledo is an initiative that will provide every student at UToledo with experiences that bridge the classroom and professional world, preparing them for success post-graduation. These can include co-ops, internships, research projects and leadership opportunities.
“The goal is to step beyond the traditional classroom and ensure our students have experiences that develop their wisdom while simultaneously introducing them to the habits and skills needed to succeed in the world beyond the academy,” he said. “Advantage Toledo will launch our students on a trajectory towards their own dreams. Many prospective students will resonate with this opportunity and come here because of it.”
Innovate Toledo is an investment in UToledo’s research enterprise with goals to align projects with the needs of the region, support interdisciplinary collaboration and expand the University’s research capacity and the economic growth of our region. It will include a one-time multi-million-dollar investment to support interdisciplinary work and increase competitiveness for additional external awards.
Holloway delivers his Inauguration Address to the UToledo community in Savage Arena.
The Healthy Toledo launch pad recognizes the public health needs of Lucas County and the University’s unique position to improve the health of the region through providing quality clinical care and educating the healthcare workforce. The initiative aims to provide more access to UToledo Health’s clinical services and support health-related research specific to the needs of the community, such as cancer, diabetes and hypertension.
To accomplish these goals, the President announced a UToledo Extension effort that will create a one-stop shop for external partners to connect with the University.
Holloway ended his address asking the audience to imagine The University of Toledo in five years with strong success across our education, research, healthcare and athletic missions in a region where the University and industry are working more collaboratively than ever before.
“As a metropolitan research university and academic health center located in a region with a strong manufacturing and agricultural future, we are unabashed in our focus on professional education, unswerving in pursuing research that advances our region, unrelenting in seeking cures for our patients, and unafraid to declare our achievements,” Holloway said. “With the partnership and efforts of you all, we have The Power To Do all that I have described, and more. We have a purpose, we thrive on our promise, and we are proud. We are The University for Toledo.”
Following his address and ceremony, Holloway attends a reception.
To watch President Holloway’s Inauguration Address or read his speech, visit the UToledo Inauguration website.
