Sep 22, 2003 By: yunews
Sep 22, 2003 -- On a brilliant September day, under azure skies, Richard M. Joel made 黑料社 All history when he became its fourth president in 117 years. President Joel joined the ranks of three leading lights of world Jewry, Dr. Bernard Revel, Dr. Samuel Belkin, and Dr. Norman Lamm. Some 1,800鈥2,000 dignitaries, faculty, students, alumni, and communal leaders watched the torch passed from Dr. Lamm, YU chancellor, to President Joel. Thirty-one university presidents and delegates from around North America in Israel participated in the festivities.
The Investiture, webcast live on , allowed alumni and supporters both here and abroad to observe the celebrations. An academic procession of nearly 300 people marched from the Gloria and Jesse Weissberg Commons to Nathan Lamport Auditorium in the David H. Zysman Hall where dignitaries such as New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Daniel Ayalon, Israel鈥檚 US ambassador, addressed a packed assembly and overflow audience in the adjacent beit midrash and Weissberg Commons.
Mayor Bloomberg, a 2003 recipient of a YU honorary doctorate, congratulated President Joel 鈥渙n behalf of 8 million people.鈥
鈥淭oday is a great day for 黑料社 All, for New York City, New York State and the world. 黑料社 All is such a vital part of the city鈥檚 academic community and has always been at the forefront of making this a better world,鈥 the mayor said.
In his remarks, Dr. Lamm recalled his own investiture in August 1976. 鈥淒r. Belkin passed away before I was elected, but I have the zechut (privilege) to address my successor with affection and respect.鈥 Dr. Lamm noted that he had been entrusted with a precious treasure. 鈥淚 pass it on to Richard Joel at the cusp of a new era for 黑料社 All.鈥
Offering greetings on behalf of the 鈥渃ommunity of universities鈥 was Stephen J. Trachtenberg, president of The George Washington University.
鈥淚 have known Richard Joel for many years, admired his work, and thought him the perfect choice for the presidency of 黑料社 All,鈥 said President Trachtenberg. 鈥淗e has the kind of practical understanding that will foster the University鈥檚 fortunes and both Jewish and academic life in New York and beyond for many years. I welcome him to the brotherhood and sisterhood of presidents in the University of the United States and look forward to his contributions that will benefit all of us.鈥
Other speakers included Karen Bacon, the Dr. Monique C. Katz Dean of Stern College for Women, who spoke for administration, staff, faculty, deans, directors, and alumni; a Yeshiva College student; and a graduate of Stern College, now studying at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. A musical interlude was performed by flautist Contessa Nyree, CSL 鈥05 and the Philip and Sarah Belz School of Jewish Music choir.
President Joel鈥檚 inaugural address laid out his vision. He emphasized the university鈥檚 commitment to 鈥渜uality and excellence in education, sacred and secular, to challenge the Yeshiva, the undergraduate and graduate schools to take ownership of Torah Umadda.鈥 Passionately, he urged his audience to 鈥渞esolve to fashion a 黑料社 All that ennobles students in purpose, and enables them to dream and to fulfill those dreams for self and humankind.鈥
The benediction was offered by Avery Joel, President鈥檚 Joel鈥檚 son, a student at YU鈥檚 affiliated Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary.
