AU Media Relations

Inauguration...

The Inauguration of AU President Neil Kerwin
The American University community and friends were invited to attend a series of inaugural week events showcasing the university's commitment to teaching-learning; scholarship, professional contributions and creativity; service; and alumni. The formal Inauguration of Neil Kerwin as Fourteenth President of American University was held Friday, Feb. 8

For a complete listing of inauguration week events, click here. For additional information, visit the inauguration website.

Below, find a complete listing of press releases, advisories, feature stories and additional details for all inauguration week events.

To arrange an interview or for additional information, please contact AU Media Relations at 202-885-5950 or aumedia@american.edu.

Multimedia ...

Inauguration of President Neil Kerwin - Entire Ceremony
	On Friday, Feb. 8 at 11 a.m., Neil Kerwin was officially installed as the Fourteenth President of American University in an inauguration ceremony at AU's Bender Arena. Watch Video (approx. 120 min) Listen to the Audio (90MB)
Installation of Neil Kerwin as 14th President of American University
	AU Chairman of the Board Gary Abramson formally installed Neil Kerwin as the 14th president. The trustees presented President Kerwin with two symbols of office—the text of the 1893 Act of Incorporation along with the 1891 Bylaws, and the president's medallion, which bears the seal of the university and symbolizes the authority of the president. Listen to the Audio (54MB) Gary M. Abramson, Chairman of the AU Board of Trustees officially installed Neil Kerwin as American University's 14th President. (text of speech) Neil Kerwin, addressed the crowd of students, faculty, staff and delegates from around the world after officially being installed as the 14th President of American University. (text of speech)
Greetings from Students, Faculty, Staff and Alumni
	Charlene Drew Jarvis, president of Southeastern University, opened the day's greetings on behalf of the Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area. (text of speech) The Reverend Jerome King Delpino, general secretary, General Board of Higher Education and Ministry, United Methodist Church spoke about Dr. Kerwin and AU's relationship with the United Methodist Church. (text of speech) Joseph Vidulich , president of Student Government at American University and a senior in the School of Public Affairs, offered a few words on behalf of the student body. (text of speech) Gary R. Weaver, chair of the Faculty Senate and professor in AU's School of International Service addressed the crowd on behalf of the faculty. (text of speech) Violeta Ettle, associate provost for Administration, spoke on behalf of the staff members at American University. (text of speech) Brian F. Keane, president of the American University Alumni Board and president of Smart Power, spoke for the 100,000 plus AU alumni.(text of speech) J. Woodford Howard Jr., Thomas P. Stran Professor Emeritus of Polical Science at The Johns Hopkins University, introduced Neil Kerwin as the 14th President of American University. (text of speech)

Newsroom...

Press Releases/Advisories:

American University Plans Week of Events to Celebrate Presidential Inauguration of Cornelius M. Kerwin

NSO Music Director, VP of Epic Records, Students, Faculty Celebrate Scholarship and Creativity

American University’s Center for Teaching Excellence Hosts Panel Discussion with Former Scholar-Teachers of the Year

Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee Joins AU President Neil Kerwin in Recognizing D.C. Public Schools Work With AU’s School of Education, Teaching and Health

American University Election Experts to Discuss the 2008 Presidential Election in the Wake of Super Tuesday

Logistics Media Adivsory for Presidential Inauguration Ceremony - Friday, Feb. 8

Feature Stories...
Coaching 101: time, effort, passion are absolute musts
(American Today - February 7, 2008 ) -- Four successful AU coaches opened a window into their demanding and rewarding profession Thursday during a seminar entitled "Coaching 101," an inauguration week event. "It’s kind of nutty to have a job like this," said volleyball coach Barry Goldberg, the dean of AU coaches. "It’s an incredible gift to be able to do this as a profession."
Listen to the Audio (83MB)
Panel explores Super Tuesday results
(American Today - February 6, 2008 ) -- A day after Super Tuesday added little clarity to the delightfully competitive presidential race, a panel of bleary-eyed AU faculty and alums gathered to dissect the results and cast an eye toward the future of the unprecedented campaign for the White House. “It’s amazing how three months ago we all knew how Super Tuesday would define the candidates,” moderator James Thurber said, tongue firmly in cheek.
Listen to the Audio (83MB)

D.C. chancellor Rhee speaks at AU
(American Today - February 6, 2008 ) -- Poverty is a reality in Washington, D.C., but it can no longer be an excuse for failing schools, said D.C. public school chancellor Michelle Rhee. Rhee spoke at an event highlighting AU’s service to the schools, which includes tutoring and teacher training programs of the type that benefited one teacher Rhee described as “phenomenal.”
Listen to the Audio (65MB)
Skits and songs highlight reception for D.C. Public Schools volunteers
(American Today - February 6, 2008 ) -- Wearing colorful T-shirts and giant grins, six third graders from J.C. Nalle Elementary School in southeast Washington treated a crowd of more than 50 to a song from the Native American tale, The Rough Face Girl, last Wednesday, during a dessert reception hosted by Ann Kerwin, BA ’71. The event, part of the inauguration week festivities, honored members of the AU community who serve the D.C. Public Schools.
Listen to the Audio (30MB)
Professors: scholarship and teaching are inseparable
(American Today - February 6, 2008 ) -- Does teaching overshadow research? Is research a distraction for faculty who'd rather teach? Not to professors Pat Aufderheide, Caleen Jennings, John Richardson, and James Thurber, who see teaching and scholarship as inseparable. And not to AU President Neil Kerwin, who taught at AU for more than 30 years before being named to the university's top post.
Fanfare of K-E-R-W-I-N – an original brass composition – Highlights First Day of American University’s Inaugural Week Events
The discussion, Sound Investments: How Music Shapes Our Lives, explored the role music plays in our lives and why we need to address the whole person in order to have a healthy and productive society. Fanfare of K-E-R-W-I-N, an original brass composition was performed at the event and Barron John Weyerhaeuser, an AU School of Communication student offered his comments on the connection between music, the arts and learning.
Sound Investments: How Music Shapes Our Lives - Listen to the Audio (55MB)
Fanfare of K-E-R-W-I-N - Listen to the Audio (1.8MB)
Comments by Barron John Weyerhaeuser - Listen to the Audio (1.4MB)

Faculty discuss their role as public intellectuals
(American Today - February 5, 2008 ) -- Kicking off a series of events during his inauguration week, AU President Neil Kerwin yesterday hosted a panel of distinguished faculty that explored the role of academics as public intellectuals. Washington College of Law (WCL) dean Claudio Grossman, WCL professor Jamin Raskin, mathematics and statistics professor Robert Jernigan, and performing arts professor Caleen Jennings shared their experiences and discussed the value of their work both outside and inside the classroom.
Listen to the Audio (70MB)
A Conversation with Neil Kerwin: 14th President of American University
(American Magazine - Fall 2007) -- On September 1, Neil Kerwin, SPA/BA ’71, became the 14th president of the university that changed his life. He is the first person in AU’s history to know what it means to be at AU as a freshman, professor, dean, provost, interim president—and now president. He met his wife, Ann, CAS/BA ’71, at AU. He gained a national reputation as a scholar at AU. And the thunder of three standing ovations from students and colleagues who know him well rang through the packed hall when his selection as AU’s president was announced.
A Man of Influence
(American Magazine - Winter 2005) -- Kerwin has spent more than half his life on this campus. In its classrooms he’s both attended lectures and delivered them. For more than 30 winters, springs, summers, and falls, he’s admired the natural beauty of its quad. Monumental personal and professional milestones have been accomplished here. In 1970, he met his wife, Ann, here during their junior years. They’ve been married 32 years. For Kerwin, AU is home.