University of Nebraska System President Ted Carter will be formally installed as NU’s eighth president in a virtual ceremony on Aug. 14 during which he will lay out a multi-year vision for growth and success across the NU campuses.
All Nebraskans are invited to watch the installation, which will begin at 2 p.m. via livestream. A link to the livestream will be available at . The university elected to hold a virtual ceremony instead of an in-person event given the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Friday’s program will include video greetings from students, faculty, staff, administrators and alumni from across the university system, along with remarks from Gov. Pete Ricketts. Board of Regents Chairman Jim Pillen of Columbus will preside. Carter will deliver remarks outlining a five-year vision for NU’s future, informed by a system-wide strategic planning process that he began shortly after assuming his new role in January.
"We’re fortunate to have brought Ted Carter to Nebraska to guide our university into the future. Even during this unprecedented time, Ted has led with calm, confidence and optimism over the past seven months," said Pillen, who chaired the 23-member committee that guided the national search in 2019 for NU’s next president.
"Great things are ahead for our university and state. Our installation ceremony will look a little different this time around, but we’re excited to formally welcome Ted into the role and celebrate the work and impact of our students, faculty and staff."
A long-held tradition in academia, an investiture is an opportunity for the university community to formally welcome a new leader and celebrate the work of the institution. An investiture typically includes well-wishes from various stakeholder groups, musical selections and the formal conferring of the authorities of the office to the new leader.
Carter began as system president on Jan. 1, following service as superintendent of the U.S. Naval Academy, his alma mater. In that role, he oversaw significant progress in diversity, graduation rates and other areas. Previously, Carter was president of the U.S. Naval War College. He is a graduate of the Navy Fighter Weapons School (Top Gun) and is a naval flight officer with more than 6,300 flying hours.
The president is the chief executive officer of the four-campus NU system, responsible for overall university operations and implementation of Board of Regents policies and goals.