On Friday afternoon, Jim Ryan will be officially sworn in as president of the University of Virginia, taking up a mantle that only eight others have worn before him.

Barring severe weather, the ceremony will begin at 3 p.m. on the Lawn, site of so many momentous occasions in the University’s history. The rain site is John Paul Jones Arena; at both locations, admission is free and open to the public.

Here’s what to expect during the historic event.

A Procession Fit for a President

The installation ceremony will open with a colorful procession unique to academia, as officials in full academic regalia make their way from the Rotunda to the steps of Old Cabell Hall, following the same time-honored path that the Class of 2019 will walk at Final Exercises this year.

The procession will include Board of Visitors members, vice presidents, deans, faculty, students and representatives from UVA’s 11 schools, the Health System and the College at Wise, proceeding in order of their schools’ founding.

They will be joined by presidents and delegates from more than 100 other colleges and universities, on hand to watch Ryan join their ranks. (See processions and other scenes from UVA’s eight past inaugurations here.)

Speeches, Poetry and Performances

The ceremony itself will begin with the national anthem, performed by UVA’s University Singers. Student a capella groups – including Black Voices, the Virginia Belles and the Virginia Gentlemen – also will perform throughout the ceremony, as will members of the Oratorio Society of Virginia and the Zion Union Baptist Church Adult Choir.

School of Nursing Dean Dorrie K. Fontaine will give a welcome address, followed by remarks from Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam. Virginia governors have typically spoken at UVA’s presidential inaugurations, and some former presidents, such as Colgate W. Darden Jr., have been governors themselves.

Following the governor’s speech, drama professor Theresa Davis will read a poem, “Testimonial,” by UVA Commonwealth Professor of English and former U.S. Poet Laureate Rita Dove. The poem, which is memorialized in a colorful mural on the Corner, is a call to action; it’s key line – “the world called, and I answered” – evokes the mission of the University and its students.

Then, keynote speaker Drew Gilpin Faust will step up to the mic. Faust, who stepped down as president of Harvard University in June, mentored Ryan during his time as dean of Harvard’s Graduate School of Education.

Jim Ryan’s Swearing-In and Inaugural Address

Following Faust’s address, Ryan himself will take center stage, raise his right hand and lay his left on a Bible, ready for the moment all of the pomp and circumstance has been building toward: the oath of office.

UVA Rector Frank M. “Rusty” Conner III will administer the oath, as Ryan promises to support the constitutions of the United States and the Commonwealth of Virginia and “faithfully and impartially” discharge his duties as UVA’s president.

After he is officially sworn in, the new president will offer up his vision for the University in his inaugural address.

Past presidents have used their inaugural addresses to share what UVA has meant to them, lay out their vision of UVA’s role in the world and establish bold goals for their tenure.

Leading up to his inauguration, Ryan has emphasized three key themes: community, discovery and service. Those themes will loom large in his inaugural address and throughout the weekend as he outlines his priorities for UVA’s third century.

A University-Wide Celebration

Following Ryan’s inaugural address and a second procession from Old Cabell Hall to the Rotunda, the new president and his family will greet the University community and the public during a reception on the north plaza of the Rotunda.

The public will also have several other chances to meet Ryan on Saturday as celebrations of his inauguration continue.

Hundreds of UVA students, faculty members and employees will join Ryan and members of the Charlottesville community for the Community Bridges 5K Run/Walk on Saturday morning at 9 a.m., with all proceeds benefitting local nonprofit organizations. Afterward, a Celebration of Service in McIntire Amphitheatre will highlight more than 50 local nonprofits and fete 5K participants and spectators with free food and music. 

On Saturday afternoon, the UVA community will convene again for “Double Take,” a live storytelling event featuring personal stories from Ryan, UVA alumna Dr. Vivian Pinn – the only woman and African-American in the School of Medicine’s Class of 1967 – and eight selected students and community members. The event, which is free and open to the public, will run from 2 to 3 p.m. in Old Cabell Hall.

With that, the inauguration weekend will come to an end and Ryan will begin the day-to-day work of living out the oath he took on the Lawn.