University Events
Inauguration of Chancellor Blake and President Frank
Published September 2009
The Colorado State University community today celebrated the inauguration of Joe Blake as the first sole chancellor of the CSU System and Tony Frank as the 14th president of the university. The two were officially installed by the Board of Governors on the historic Oval before a crowd of hundreds of faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends.
- Resources for media (press release, bios, audio, and photos)
- Text of Dr. Frank's Inaugural Address
Images from the Inauguration & Picnic
(11 images)
The inauguration of the first chancellor and president
Chancellor Joe Blake speaks at the Inauguration
Board of Governors Chairman Patrick McConathy with Chancellor Blake
President Tony Frank speaks at the Inauguration. Text of address.
Faculty in regalia listen as President Tony Frank speaks at the Inauguration
Faculty Council Chair Richard Eykholt, President Frank and Chancellor Blake
Chancellor Blake, CSU – Pueblo President Joe Garcia, and President Frank
The CSU Marching Band provides entertainment following the ceremonies
The Golden Poms perform during the picnic
Members of the campus community enjoy the picnic
President Frank receives a congratulatory hug
Focus on leadership
"Our ceremony today is about leadership. These two men were chosen at the most critical time in the history of higher education in the country," said Patrick McConathy, board chair. "This is an opportunity to lift our vision, summon our hopes, strengthen our resolve, and renew our belief that the best days of CSU are ahead."
In his inaugural speech, Blake called the day the beginning of something new in the life of Colorado State University.
"A university's vitality depends on interplay between the old and the new, between tradition and change," Blake said. "We have the power to envision excellence in all we do and want for CSU, to create the finest learning experience for every student and to fulfill the promises we make to each other."
Return to the fundamentals
Video Clips
- Tony Frank - Finest system of higher education in world
- Tony Frank - Responsibility to faculty and students
- Tony Frank - Returning to the fundamentals
- Joe Blake - Envision excellence for CSU
- Joe Blake - Crucible of the moment
- Joe Blake - Power to create brighter future
- Streaming video of the Inauguration (33 min)
In his address, Frank noted the challenges facing the institution compared with those of his predecessors and world leaders and called for a return to the fundamentals of ensuring a high-quality educational environment.
"Consider the challenges faced by Lincoln, confronted with a civil war and a devastated economy," Frank said. "Or the obstacles faced in 1870 by the first black person in America allowed to cast a vote - the same year our trustees were trying to build a college with no budget and very little legislative support. Think over the challenges faced by the average citizen in the first decade of the 20th century, who made $13 for working a 60 hour week while not expecting to live past the age of 47.
"For my administration, the fundamentals mean we must foster the environment needed for our faculty and our students to attain their potential," Frank said. "The university's support infrastructure – from the people who care for this beautiful setting, to those who will cook our food, to everyone who interacts with a visitor to our campus, to the President – has a single role: to enable our faculty who strive to transform our world and to support the education of the students who entrust their passion and their futures to our care."
More information
- Resources for media: Press release, bios, audio, and photos
- Biography: Chancellor Joseph Blake
- Biography: President Tony Frank
