Paino Installation to Focus on Community

Truman will host a number of activities Sept. 16-18 as part of President Troy D. Paino’s formal installation. Paino, who was named Truman’s 16th president earlier this year, selected “Celebrating Community” as the theme of his installation and several events were planned with the Truman and Kirksville communities in mind.

The Gala President’s Concert will kick-off the installation ceremonies, starting at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 16 in Baldwin Auditorium. Brahms’ “Academic Festival Overture,” Randall Thompson’s “Alleluia,” and Duke Ellington’s famous theme “Take the A-Train” are some of the works to be performed by talented vocal and instrumental groups representing the entire Truman Department of Music. The concert will conclude with the moving and powerful “Harry S Truman: A Musical Tribute” by Missouri composer Claude T. Smith. This piece, which features chorus, wind ensemble, piano and soprano soloists and a narrator, depicts the life of President Truman from birth to death, including his deep love of music as well as the ultimate decision to use the atomic bomb. President Paino will speak briefly at this special performance, which is free and open to the public.

As part of the installation ceremonies on Sept. 17, there will be a dedication of the new University sculpture “The Dance” at 1 p.m., near the fountain, east of the Student Union Building. “The Dance” was donated to Truman through a gift from Margarita Heisserer and a gift in kind from Larry and Candy Young. The 10-foot bronze sculpture, created by Larry Young, gives the illusion of two dancers becoming one.

The Installation Ceremony will take place at 2:30 p.m. Sept. 17 in Baldwin Auditorium. It will be immediately followed by a reception on the Quadrangle. The rain site for the reception is the Georgian Room of the Student Union Building.

Events on Sept. 18 start at 8 a.m. with the 5K Celebration Run/1 Mile Walk with President Paino and his wife Kelly. The run begins and ends at Stokes Stadium and travels through campus and downtown Kirksville. Check-in will take place from 7:15-7:45 a.m. For registration information, call 785.4016 or visit http://president.truman.edu/images/Installation%205k.pdf.

A Presidential Tree Planting Ceremony will take place at 1:00 p.m. on the south side of McClain Hall.

From 1:30-4:30 p.m., the SERVE Center is coordinating a Community Service Event. To volunteer, call 785.7222 by Sept. 15.

Installation festivities conclude with the University and Kirksville Community Band Fest Celebration from 7-10 p.m. Sept. 18 at the Kirksville Armory. Deadwood and Savage Henry will be among the performers.