Inauguration History

Past Inaugurations

The inauguration of a new president is always a historic moment. President Stuart R. Bell’s inauguration marks the 10th such moment since the university opened its doors in Gainesville in 1906.

UF’s first three presidents — Andrew Sledd, Albert Murphree and James Tigert — did not have formal inauguration ceremonies. The tradition began with UF’s fourth president, J. Hillis Miller, whose ceremony was held March 5, 1948.

All the presidents who followed Hillis Miller had inaugurations except Charles Young (1999-2003), who began as interim and did not have an inaugural ceremony when his position became permanent.

Inauguration ceremonies have been held at the Florida Gym (home to the College of Health and Human Performance), the O’Connell Center and the University Auditorium. President Bell’s inauguration will be the first at the Phillips Center for the Performing Arts.