President Cantwell’s Investiture: An evening making Utah State history

On April 12, Utah State University hosted an investiture for university President Elizabeth R. Cantwell. Held in the Newel & Jean Daines Concert Hall, the ceremony was broadcast over AggieCast and viewed from campuses across the state.  

The event began with a formal procession led by the USU Scotsman Pipe & Drum Corps. During this time, faculty, leaders, state officials and speakers proceeded through the auditorium wearing their doctoral regalia.  

Laurens H. Smith, USU’s provost and chief academic officer, was the master of ceremonies. 

“It is with great pleasure and gratitude that I send a warm welcome to the investiture,” Smith said. “Our esteemed guests are USU students, faculty, staff, alumni and members of our community gathered here today.” 

Grace Olsen, a junior studying vocal performance, sang the National Anthem. Paul V. Johnson, a General Authority Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and member of the Utah Board of Education, offered the opening invocation.  

Jacey Skinner addressed the group as chair of the Utah State Board of Trustees.  

“We are thrilled to have each of you here with us today as we celebrate the opening of the next chapter of Utah State history,” Skinner said.  

Skinner said being an Aggie was about looking for solutions to problems and improving the world.  

“We take care of those around us, and we make our communities, our state, our nation and the world a better place,” Skinner said. “No matter what physical form an Aggie might take as a mascot, what an Aggie is, is someone who meets the moment.” 

Gov. Spencer J. Cox spoke next, covering his journey as a Utah State Aggie. He said proper education makes people not only critical thinkers and problem solvers who know their Shakespeare and trigonometry but also more virtuous, honest and loving.  

“There is a question over whether we are still seeking truth or we have discovered truth and are going to mandate that to everyone that opens these doors,” Cox said. “Is there still room for diversity of opinion in the cause of higher education? Are we still teaching, or do we care about character at all?” 

Member of the Utah Board of Higher Education, Javier Chavez Jr., presents President Cantwell with a medal during her investiture on April 12.

Cox said Utah State is very lucky to have President Cantwell.  

“It was then I knew that we had the woman for the moment,” Cox said. “The president that we desperately need at this time and in this place, right here at Utah State University, to make sure that the very best of our history stays — the things that make us Utahns, the things that make us Aggies — that we keep all of those and we innovate. We find the solutions to the future. We can have both of those things, and we can have them because we have President Cantwell.” 

After Cox’s remarks, the Red Spirit Singers of the Ute Indian Tribe performed a traditional honor song.  

Abraham Rodriguez, USUSA President, addressed the audience with USU’s mission and vision of serving communities through access, excellence and belonging for all faculty, staff and students. 

Geoffrey T. Landward, commissioner of the Utah System of Higher Education, shared some remarks.  

“The board’s search for Utah State University’s next president was highly competitive, featuring many exceptional candidates, a credit to the caliber of this institution,” Landward said. “President Cantwell became the clear choice throughout the process and was chosen to lead the as the 17th president and newest Aggie. This institution stands alone in the Utah System of Higher Education. It is a daunting responsibility. But I am certain, President Cantwell, that your fierce intelligence, strong leadership and dedication to service not only to our students but also to the faculty, staff and broader communities will ensure your success and the success of USU.” 

Javier Chavez Jr., a Utah Board of Higher Education member, gave some thoughts on the investiture charge.  

“You were selected from a number of highly qualified candidates from across the nation,” Chavez Jr. said. “I have every confidence that you possess the essential qualities it takes to be a successful college president in this great state.” 

Cantwell received her presidential medallion to the tune of “Presidential Fanfare.” The piece, which was commissioned for the investiture, was performed by the USU Wind Orchestra and directed by composer Thomas P. Rohrer, who also serves as director of bands.  

USU Provost and Chief Academic Officer, Laurens H. Smith, introduces the meeting following the processional presented by USU Scotsman Pipe and Drum Corps during the Investiture of Elizabeth R. Cantwell, as the 17th president of Utah State on April 12.

Cantwell opened her address by thanking the musicians for their performance and the audience for attending. She also thanked the board for her position and her family for supporting her in her career.  

She then discussed challenges facing higher education. 

“I just want to give you a sense of how we at USU are ready to meet this moment,” Cantwell said. “Change is upon us, and those of you who know me know that my charge to people who work with me in an institution like this is we will embrace change. We will own the future rather than be owned by it. We are a public higher education institution that is, in fact, poised to play an even more critical role in the future. We will remain as we always have been: a key driver of innovation, of social mobility and societal well-being.” 

She addressed the university’s roots as a land-grant institution, discussing the importance of making education accessible to all and Utah State’s role in this effort. She shared the history of the Morrill Land Grant Act of 1862, which established USU and focused on agricultural and mechanical sciences.  

“The act democratized education by establishing institutions in the nation’s frontier,” Cantwell said. “We have been on the frontier ever since. We are at the frontier of research, we are at the frontier of space exploration, of energy, and of course, we remain at the frontier of agriculture. The Land Grant Act and its subsequent generations transformed the higher education landscape in the US, while its people were transforming our physical landscape. That is the tradition that we inherit, and we carry it forward.” 

Cantwell said the act was an “investment in the future.” 

“Despite the uncertainties of the Civil War, and the disruptive forces of industrialization, this act of faith in education laid the groundwork for a system that enabled our nation to meet and surmount the challenges of that time,” Cantwell said. “Today, as we navigate the dawn of the 21st century, we find ourselves amid a similar period of profound change.” 

Even though faith in university education can be dwindling, Cantwell said, Utah State is primed to help its students and adapt to meet tomorrow’s needs.  

“Our elite institutions may be the envy of the world, but too many Americans now see higher education not as a great leveler, but as an instrument of inequality,” Cantwell said. “Dragging the haves further from the have nots. In many ways, the American dream to some seems increasingly out of reach, particularly for communities cut off from educational opportunities. Once again, we find ourselves a nation fairly deeply divided. The very good news, and I believe this with all my heart, is that Utah State University is fully capable of meeting these challenges head on. Utah State University was built for moments like this.” 

Cantwell said there are many initiatives USU is taking to help meet the challenges of modern times, including space exploration, dual-enrollment measures for high schoolers and creating programs such as the Heravi Peace Institute.  

After Cantwell closed her address, the USU Chorale performed the alma mater song.  

The Rev. Jason Samuel of St. John’s Episcopal Church offered a benediction, and the Scotsman Pipe and Drum Corps led a recessional of the participants.  

Bryce Lutz, a presidential ambassador, helped set up for the investiture. Lutz said he helped speakers and dignitaries find their way around. 

“I liked President Cantwell’s entire remarks and seeing that she was thankful for Utah State as well,” Lutz said. “I really liked what Gov. Cox was saying the entire time because I didn’t know that he graduated from Utah State. His appreciation for the university, his story of how great Utah State is, and the traditions that we want to carry on were really, really cool to hear about.” 

Landward said he was honored to be a part of the event. 

“This is such a great way to celebrate the university and its mission, to highlight its aspirations, to consider its future and to get inspiration from its new leader,” Landward said. “The success of Utah State is the success of Utah as a state, so we’re all invested in making sure President Cantwell is successful and that Utah State continues on this trajectory.”