Reception brings community together

LSA senior Jeff Kurson slipped away from his responsibilities as a University groundskeeper Friday to grab some official inauguration Frisbees and five different colors of YoHA yo-yos.

"Free stuff is free stuff," Kurson said, adding that he was amazed at the number of people who filled Ingalls Mall at the reception following new University President Lee Bollinger's inauguration.

"It makes it look like all these people came to see the inauguration, but really they just came to get free stuff," Kurson said.

In an attempt to include all members of the community, Bollinger and the inauguration committee created daylong events that mixed the tradition of the formal ceremony with a relaxed atmosphere that would make students in jeans and backpacks feel comfortable.

MALLORY S.E. FLOYD/Daily Bollinger greets members of the University community on Ingalls Mall following the formal ceremony.

Faculty, staff and students piled out of Hill Auditorium around noon as the Michigan Symphony Orchestra played traditional ceremonial music. As they entered Ingalls Mall, they were greeted by live music, hotdogs, balloons, popcorn, ice cream and "free stuff."

Student volunteers handed out free Frisbees and T-shirts that donned the official logo of Bollinger's inauguration, yo-yos that celebrated the inauguration of the Year of Arts and Humanities and balloons printed with the slogan YoHA on one side, and Yo-Lee on the other.

"It's fun. I have one of each color," Kurson said of his five new yo-yos. "Had they not done this, the campus would have looked drab like it normally does."

Live performances by campus dance and musical groups entertained the crowds of students who gathered in the mall area for more than two hours.

LSA senior Ken Barr said the excitement of the people, bands, dancers and free food lured him into the mall and enticed him to stay for awhile.

"We were doing some experiment in the MLB for psychology class and I saw all this stuff," Barr said. "I decided to stick around.

"I think it's great. He's joining great history here - young and old."

Bollinger greeted a long line of hundreds of University students, faculty and staff that did not seem get smaller for nearly an hour. Barr decided not only to just "stick around," but also to give his personal congratulations to the new president.

"I took a course on University history once," Barr said. "I'd like to take part in it and be able to say one day, 'yes, I met our president when I was there.'"

Physiology Prof. Louis D'Alecy said he was refreshed by the event's atmosphere and Bollinger's general attitude.

"I'm struck by his very relaxed way," D'Alecy said. "If you meet with him, even in his office, he's relaxed."

LSA sophomore Adam Dratch said that without the carnival-like activities in the mall area, students may not have even known that Friday was Bollinger's inauguration day.

"I think it's a celebration for the young people," Dratch said. "This is a new beginning. It's nice to come to a school where, as a freshman or sophomore, you have a new president."

Dratch said Bollinger's light-hearted attitude give him an optimistic attitude for his next three years on campus.

"He's semi-young, obviously intelligent. He seems to be a popular guy," he said. "I'm excited about the future. To quote Dire Straits, 'The future's looking brighter.'"

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