The University of Louisiana at Monroe community celebrates the formal investiture of President Dr. Nick J. Bruno on Sunday, October 2, 2011. This ceremony is counted among the oldest of traditions in academia. Originating in English universities and modeled after highly dignified knighthood ceremonies, investiture comes from the Latin phrase for "dress in robe." In academic circles, the term has come to mean one who will literally don the university's insignia and regalia.
Like other university investitures before it, the ceremony for Dr. Bruno will reflect the style of the university president whose investiture is being celebrated. That is why university investiture committee members agreed to adhere closely to the "Discover ULM" theme initiated during Dr. Bruno's first year as president.
"My overall goal is that the ULM Investiture celebrates the entire university's achievements as it enters its 80th year of academic excellence," said Bruno.
Dr. Nick J. Bruno became the eighth president of the University of Louisiana at Monroe on November 8, 2010, after more than 30 years of work in Louisiana higher education.
A Louisiana native, President Bruno arrived at ULM from the University of Louisiana System, where he managed the business, financial and facility operations as the vice president for business affairs. Prior to his appointment at the UL System, he served as vice president for business affairs at ULM, helping revitalize the campus during a critical juncture in the university's history.
Southeastern Louisiana University also benefited from Dr. Bruno's leadership. While there, he served in several capacities, including assistant vice president for special initiatives, handling such areas as continuing education and international activities.
In addition to his higher education experience, President Bruno is regionally and nationally recognized for his consulting expertise in areas such as organizational efficiencies and alternatively financed facility construction.
President Bruno earned a bachelor's degree in accounting and an MBA from Southeastern Louisiana University. He earned a Ph.D. in Higher Education Leadership from the University of Mississippi.
He and his wife, Linda, have a son, Steven, 32, and two daughters, Victoria, 18, and Christina, 16.
Investiture Events (PDF version) | Event Locations (PDF map)