A Call for Diversity

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Surrounded by a white picket-fence on a sunny Friday morning, the University of Nevada, Reno Quad played host to the inauguration of UNR's 15th president, Milton D. Glick, who made improving educational opportunities in Nevada, diversifying the student body and nurturing the surrounding region the goals of his presidency.

With all of the grandeur of a graduation ceremony, Glick's 22-minute inauguration speech was preceded by the caravan of the platform party, university personnel dressed in academic regalia, led by an honor guard to the tune of "Procession of the Nobles" performed by the university band.

The master of ceremonies, Paul Mitchell, recruitment and retention coordinator at the Reynolds School of Journalism, started the ceremony by reflecting on the history of the Quad and describing its Jeffersonian inspiration and the statue of John Mackay.

After a few jovial statements made by invited speakers to welcome Glick, the new president took the podium.

"I would like to thank all those that made this day necessary," Glick said. "I'm honored to be one of you and call upon your pioneering spirit."

Glick continued Mitchell's recollection of UNR history and said that the Morel Land Grant, Hatch Act, GI Bill and Civil Rights legislation have helped to make a more educated citizenry.

"Universities are places of words, and words shape our destines," Glick said. "There is uniform agreement that this university is central to the future."

Glick said that he would pursue three goals in his presidency, the first being to improve the educational opportunities at all levels in the state of Nevada.

"We do not live in an ivory tower," Glick said. "We will work with K-12, community colleges and businesses."

Glick said his second goal was to expand the size and quality of the student body, and said that the Kenny Guinn Millennium Scholarship was important to his goal.

"We seek to retain and graduate every student who comes here," Glick said. "But we take pride in who we graduate, not admit."

Glick said his third goal was to nurture the surrounding area and build a campus town to reach out to Nevadans.

"The next Comstock Lode is not in the hills, but in the minds of Nevadans," Glick said. "We can learn to disagree without being disagreeable."

Glick addressed what was a growing concern last semester for students: the concept of free speech zones on campus.

"Our goal is not to make ideas safe for students, but students safe for ideas," Glick said. "This whole campus is a free speech zone."

As the audience began to depart, Glick ended his speech with a call for competition not just with the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, but with other surrounding colleges in the nation, on the continent and overseas.

"Let me take a moment to enjoy this moment," Glick said. "Being in the shade and out of the sunlight."

As Glick gave his speech, activity on campus continued with students trying to negotiate their way around the assembly on the Quad, some perplexed as to the nature of the event.

"A lot of work apparently went into this [event]," said John Tannarome, a nursing pre-major. "But how come they have graduation hats on?"

Most students appeared to be in too much of a hurry getting to morning classes.

"It's a cute display," said Alex Miller, an undecided major. "But now I can't walk across the Quad."

Most of the audience dressed up for the occasion, many wearing formal attire, juxtaposed by the passing students wearing UNR sweatshirts and skateboarding noticeably by.

"I personally love the fall colors," said Lindsay Harmond, a member of the event staff, about the centerpieces on white tables in an area at the far end of the Quad serving as an after-ceremony brunch.

"I thought it was an excellent speech," said Bill Cathey, Vice Provost and an administrator at UNR. "It was very inspiring."

Carla Scott, an administrative assistant in civil engineering, said it was the first time she had ever been to this type of event.

"It was kind of exciting," she said.

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