Inauguration Schedule of Events

Inauguration Week is filled with signature events from April 13-19! Be a part of OWU history.

Saturday, April 13, 2024

Annual Fine Arts Graduating Senior Exhibit and "Restore"

5-7 p.m. | Richard M. Ross Art Museum 
More Information

Monday, April 15, 2024

Something is Brewing at OWU! 

8:30-10:30 a.m. | Rock Quad in front of Merrick
Feel the excitement in the air as Something is Brewing at OWU! Inauguration Week starts off right with a FREE DELICIOUS TREAT from Columbus Coffee Company on Rock Quad in front of Merrick. There's a latte more coming!!

Fresh Beginnings—Commemorating the HWCC Atrium

Noon-1 p.m. | Atrium, Hamilton-Williams Campus Center
Celebrate with Dr. v as we dedicate the reimagined and refreshed Hamilton-Williams Atrium, and get a FREE LIMITED-EDITION MURAL STICKER. Mural artist Nick Stull '07 will also share his contributions. 

Tuesday, April 16, 2024

Countdown to Commencement

9 a.m. - 4 p.m. | Benes Rooms
Seniors, show your spirit at Countdown to Commencement! Attend this important (and mandatory) event, gear up with a new senior class shirt celebrating #17 Dr. v, and wear your new gear on Wednesday for It's A Great Day to Be a Bishop Day!

Surprise Announcement at the DEC

10 a.m. | Delaware Entrepreneurial Center at Ohio Wesleyan University
Join President Matt vandenBerg and others for a special announcement at the DEC. 

Spark a Bright Future: Share Your Vision

11 a.m. - 1 p.m. | HWCC Atrium
Join the campus community for FREE COOKIES and an interactive event to share your hopes for OWU's future! Create a visual or written representation of what OWU could be and add it to a unique wall display. 

Ask a Bishop/LLI, My Life as a…Series

2-4 p.m. | Zoom
"My Life in Washington, the White House, the Airline Industry, and more with Nick Calio '75, Chair, OWU Board of Trustees and President & CEO, Airlines for America
Register for class on Zoom

Symphonic Wind Ensemble

8-9 p.m. | University Hall Gray Chapel
More Information

Wednesday, April 17, 2024

It's A Great Day to be a Bishop Day: Show Your Spirit for #17 on the 17th!

Wear your boldest OWU red and black to ignite enthusiasm for Inauguration Week! Share the spirit on social: #OWU17! 

• 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. | JAYwalk — FREE PHOTO OPS! Bring your biggest smile and Come Serve Looks with Dr. v! 
• 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. | JAYwalk — FREE ICE CREAM! Scoop Up the Spirit with Little Ladies Soft Serve ice cream!
• 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. | HWCC Atrium — FREE SWAG, photos, and high-fives at Bishop Brag Day! Wear your senior class Inauguration shirt to the Inauguration table to get your photo taken…and brag about your OWU experiences!

Presidential Portrait Unveiling Ceremony for OWU's 16th President, Rock Jones

4:30-5:30 p.m. | Slocum Hall Reading Room
Join Rock and esteemed guests for this special ceremony to honor OWU's past president.

Thursday, April 18, 2024

Do-nut Miss the Inauguration!

8:30-10:30 a.m. | Rowland SLUs
Choose from a variety of FREE DONUTS as a "sweet" reminder... to attend the Inauguration Ceremony and Celebration on Friday, April 19, starting at 10 a.m. in Gray Chapel!

T-shirts! T-Shirts! Get Your Inauguration T-Shirts!

Noon | Mowry Alumni Center Lawn
First come, first served! Snag a FREE COMMEMORATIVE INAUGURATION SHIRT and wear it proudly on Inauguration Day for the chance to win some great prizes!

Surprise Announcement

2 p.m. | Slocum Hall Reading Room
Join us for a special joint announcement between Claflin University and Ohio Wesleyan University.

Ideas, Insight, and Imagination (i³) for the Inauguration

3-4 p.m. | Slocum Hall Reading Room
Three OWU faculty revisit and update their classic i-Qubed presentations and discuss the secrets for delivering a classic mini-lecture with Ideas, Insight, and Imagination for the Inauguration. Faculty participants: Laurie Anderson, Morris Family Professor of Natural Sciences; Erin Flynn, Professor of Philosophy and Acting Chair; and Franchesca Nestor, Associate Professor of Politics & Government. Moderated by Will Kopp, Chief Communications Officer.

Friday, April 19, 2024

Inauguration Installation Ceremony for OWU's 17th President, Matt vandenBerg

10 a.m. | Gray Chapel, University Hall

Inauguration Celebration

Immediately following the ceremony | JAYwalk
Join the campus community and guests for The Inauguration Celebration! This momentous occasion begins a new chapter filled with promise, vision, and a little moxie. Enjoy a vibrant atmosphere with live entertainment, food, and OWU giveaways!

View photos from the above events on Flickr. For a complete list of campus events, please visit OWU's Calendar.