2-25-99

   The Board of Trustees of The Ohio State University will formally install William E. Kirwan as the 12th president of the university during an investiture ceremony at 3:30 p.m. Friday (2/26) in Mershon Auditorium, 1871 N. High St.

   The ceremony is open to Ohio State faculty, students, staff and advisory boards, public officials, the presidents of other Ohio and Big 10 universities, and the public.

   The investiture is an opportunity for various constituencies to formally welcome Kirwan to Ohio State. The platform party is expected to include all the members of the university's Board of Trustees; university vice presidents and deans; student, faculty and staff representatives; and some state and local government leaders.

   Following remarks by Board of Trustees Chair Ted Celeste, Kirwan will be sworn in as president and presented with the medallion of office. Kirwan will deliver a speech outlining his vision for Ohio State, and there will be other greetings and comments before the event concludes at 4:30 p.m. A reception for all attendees will follow in the Mershon lobby.

   Media parking is recommended in Parking Garage B or C (Arps and Ohio Union, respectively), both accessible from High Street and College Road. An audio mult box will be provided. A half- hour of taped coverage of the investiture will air at 7 p.m. Friday on WOSU-TV 34.

Contact: Ruth Gerstner, University Communications, 292-8424