Presidential
Investiture

 

The Presidential Investiture of William F. Tate IV

History in the Making

LSU’s Presidential Investiture Ceremony took place on Friday, Aug. 27, 2021, at the Union Theatre on the LSU campus to formally install William F. Tate IV as the new president of LSU.

 

lsu union theatre

Investiture Ceremony Replay

Downloadable Investiture Program

 

 

 

 

Event Gallery

Scenes from the investiture of LSU President William F. Tate IV on Aug. 27, 2021.

Scenes from the investiture of LSU President William F. Tate IV on Aug. 27, 2021.

Scenes from the investiture of LSU President William F. Tate IV on Aug. 27, 2021.

Scenes from the investiture of LSU President William F. Tate IV on Aug. 27, 2021.

Scenes from the investiture of LSU President William F. Tate IV on Aug. 27, 2021.

Scenes from the investiture of LSU President William F. Tate IV on Aug. 27, 2021.

Scenes from the investiture of LSU President William F. Tate IV on Aug. 27, 2021.

Scenes from the investiture of LSU President William F. Tate IV on Aug. 27, 2021.

Scenes from the investiture of LSU President William F. Tate IV on Aug. 27, 2021.

Scenes from the investiture of LSU President William F. Tate IV on Aug. 27, 2021.

Scenes from the investiture of LSU President William F. Tate IV on Aug. 27, 2021.

Scenes from the investiture of LSU President William F. Tate IV on Aug. 27, 2021.

Scenes from the investiture of LSU President William F. Tate IV on Aug. 27, 2021.

Scholarship First

In honor of the investiture of LSU President William F. Tate IV, we invite you to join our vision for the future: Scholarship First. To welcome LSU's 28th president, please consider making a gift to the LSU Fund in support of outstanding research, teaching, and learning.

Make a gift to the LSU fund

About President Tate

president tate

William F. Tate IV was named the next LSU president during the May 2021 LSU Board of Supervisors meeting. Previously, Tate was Education Foundation Distinguished Professor and Provost & Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs at the University of South Carolina.

Learn more about President Tate

 

 

What Is an Investiture?

The investiture ceremony, a traditional academic event held during a university president’s first year, provides an opportunity for the university and its community to come together in celebration of the pursuit of knowledge and scholarship, the future of LSU, and the Tiger spirit that bonds us all.

University Symbols and Traditions

tiger stadium

University Mace

In 2011, the 80-year-old Steele Burden Live Oak on campus, which was planted by Steele Burden, the landscaper for LSU from 1930 to 1970, was struck by lightning and died. The wood from that oak tree was used to create LSU’s current ceremonial mace. During the university’s commencement ceremonies, the mace is wielded by a mace bearer, who leads the procession.

presidential medallion

Presidential Medallion 

The LSU Presidential Medallion prominently features the university seal, which is based on the Louisiana seal, depicting a pelican on its nest, plucking at its chest to draw blood to feed its young, a device known as the “pelican in her piety.” Interspersed along the medallion’s chain, the names of past university presidents and the years of their tenure are engraved, including the addition of President Tate. The medallion’s chain also includes several fleurs-de-lis. It is worn by the president at all academic ceremonies.

graduate at commencement

Academic Regalia

During commencement ceremonies, bachelor’s and doctoral candidates wear purple academic gowns, while master’s candidates wear black. The LSU logo is embroidered on the lapels of all bachelor’s and master’s gowns, while lapels on doctoral gowns are embroidered with the LSU seal. The doctoral gown is trimmed with purple velvet. Except for those students graduating with college honors, hoods are not worn by candidates for bachelor’s degrees. For the master’s and doctoral degrees, hoods are the same color and material as the gown and lined with purple and gold. Both the master’s and  doctoral hoods have a velvet binding. Caps are the same color and material as the gown. The tassel fastened to the cap may be black or purple and gold for the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees.