A few weeks ago you saw the Save the Date announcement for President Martin’s inauguration—Thursday, April 28, 2016, 1:30 p.m. in The Knapp Center. I am announcing now that all classes will be suspended from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on that day. Normal class schedule will resume at 3:30 and evening classes will be held.

The inauguration of a president is a rare and important event in Drake’s 134-year history, one that has happened, at most, just 12 times previously. It has been 17 years since we last welcomed a new president. We want to make it possible for all members of the Drake community—faculty, staff, and students—to honor Marty Martin at the formal initiation of his presidency, to witness this historic moment, and to celebrate with him the start of something big.

During the coming weeks and months there will be more announcements about events and schedule pertaining to the Inauguration. There will be pomp, there will be circumstance, there will be a good time had by all.

—Interim Provost Joe Lenz