Today WVU celebrates the inauguration of its 22nd president with a 1 p.m. ceremony in Woodburn Circle.

President Mike Garrison?s inauguration is open to the public. A general seating area in the circle is being reserved until 12:45 p.m. on a first-come, first-serve basis, and a large LCD screen in Woodburn Circle will project inaugural images to those viewing the ceremony from afar.

If you cannot attend, please tune in to the live webcast. Note: Quicktime is required to view video and can be downloaded at http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/.

Twenty years ago Mike Garrison enrolled in WVU as a freshman; now he has come home to serve as his alma mater?s 22nd president. Today?s ceremony marks Garrison?s official installation as WVU president and highlights Inauguration week activities that have celebrated the WVU pride and the University?s commitment to fulfilling dreams and changing lives.

Scenes from the Inauguration of WVU President Mike Garrison

Women?s Studies employee Cathy Jasper greets President Garrison on the circle prior to the ceremony

President Garrison walks through a sea of blue and gold seats as he checks out the ceremony set-up

President Garrison thanks Physical Plant workers as they prepare the stage in Woodburn Circle

President Garrison thanks Physical Plant workers Tanya Zeigler and Dominick Rocca as they prepare the circle for the inaugural event

President Garrison greets his former executive assistant in Governor Bob Wise?s administration, Sherri Foreman and her husband, Kevin

President Garrison greets his long-time Morgantown friend Rodney Bean

Jim and Patty Pitrolo from Charleston chat with the president on the steps of Martin Hall

Gold and Blue Ambassador Whitney Burks welcomes President Mike Garrison

Governor Joe Manchin III and President Garrison stroll across University Avenue before the event

Former Governor Gaston Caperton and WVU?s 22nd President Mike Garrison prior to the ceremony in Garrison?s Stewart Hall office

Provost Gerald Lang greets Governor Joe Manchin and President Garrison on the steps of Stewart Hall as Associate Provost Russ Dean looks on

Former Governor Bob Wise with his former Chief Economic Development Director David Satterfield in the lobby of Stewart Hall

Accounting faculty member Tim Pearson prepares for the processional

Higher Education Policy Commission Chancellor Brian Noland talks with West Virginia?s First Lady Gayle Manchin

President Garrison robes for the ceremony in his Stewart Hall office with University Grand Marshal Mary Strife

President?s Office executive assistant Rita Swanger arranges Heather Garrison?s regalia

President?s Office executive assistant Rita Swanger assists President Garrison with his robe

Congressman Alan Mollohan congratulates President Garrison as they prepare for the ceremony

Senator Jay Rockefeller talks with President Garrison

Julia and Gabriella Garrison with a family friend in Stewart Hall

Framed under the arch of Stewart Hall, Governor Joe Manchin, Board of Governors Chairman Stephen Goodwin, and President Mike Garrison talk before the inauguration

The crowd begins to arrive for the ceremony in Woodburn Circle

Bagpiper Craig Presar, Extension agent from Upshur County

WVU University Choir, under direction of Kathleen Shannon, provides music for the ceremony

English professor and award-winning poet James Harms reads an original inaugural piece

WVU?s chief administrator is formally inducted as the 22nd president by Governor Joe Manchin III. Garrison is joined by his wife, Heather Garrison, and Faculty Senate Chair J. Steven Kite

Capt. Lee Ann Campbell, U.S. Army, a 2001 graduate from Keyser, spoke as part of the ten ?Voices? that represented different segments of the University. She received a standing ovation following her remarks about flying combat missions in Iraq and supporting Hurricane Katrina recovery efforts in Louisiana.

WVU President Mike Garrison delivers his inaugural address just off the steps of Woodburn Hall

During the inaugural address, WVU students shouted the ?Go Mountaineers? chant

President Garrison said, as he completed his remarks, ?Thank you for spending time with me today in the rain.?

Following the ceremony, President Garrison and daughter Julia hold hands and head up the steps of Stewart Hall

Photos by Greg Ellis, Tom Crozier, and Shannon Dey—WVU Photographic Services