University of Nebraska to celebrate installation of President Hank Bounds Friday April 15

Nebraskans are invited to help celebrate the formal installation of University of Nebraska President Hank Bounds this Friday, April 15 – almost a year to the day after Bounds became NU’s seventh president.

Friday’s events provide an opportunity for Bounds to reflect on his first year as president and lay out his goals moving forward. Bounds, who came to Nebraska after serving as commissioner of higher education in his native Mississippi, began his tenure at NU on April 13, 2015.

“Over the past year, I’ve had the opportunity to listen to and learn from Nebraskans about their hopes and dreams for their university,” Bounds said. “My travels across the state and conversations with constituents have confirmed for me that the people of Nebraska care deeply about the university. With their support, we have been successful in advancing our goals for affordability and competitiveness. I’m convinced we can do even more on behalf of the state and world. I’m excited to share with Nebraskans how I think we can do that.”

Installation events will begin with a ceremony at 10 a.m. at Kimball Recital Hall, 1113 R St. on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus. The ceremony – formally known in the academic world as an “investiture” – will include a speech from Bounds; remarks from University of Southern Mississippi President Dr. Rodney Bennett, a friend and former colleague of Bounds’; and greetings from a range of NU constituents, including Gov. Pete Ricketts and representatives of the faculty, staff, administration and students of the university.

Limited seating is available at Kimball Hall. Overflow seating will be available on a first-come, first-served basis at the Mary Riepma Ross Media Arts Center, 313 N. 13th St.

The ceremony also will be broadcast live and streamed live online via Nebraska Educational Telecommunications, KRNU radio in Lincoln and KVNO radio in Omaha. Full details on live broadcast and streaming opportunities are available here.

An open-house reception will immediately follow the ceremony at the Van Brunt Visitors Center, 313 N. 13th St. in Lincoln. All members of the university community and public are welcome.

Throughout the week and following Friday’s installation, Nebraskans are invited to share memories and photos from Bounds’ first year, well-wishes and thoughts on the ceremony by using #HankBounds16 on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.