John Carroll University Celebrates the Inauguration of its 25th President, Michael D. Johnson, Ph.D.

John Carroll University celebrated the formal installation of Michael D. Johnson, Ph.D., as the institution’s 25th president on Thursday, September 6, 2018. The theme for the celebration was “Inspired Leadership.” “My success as a leader and our success as a community will be measured foremost by our ability to be self-aware and reflective, to make decisions that are in the best interests of our students and institution, to create a more inclusive environment, to care for and respect others, and to live a life of service,” Dr. Johnson said during his inaugural address. His remarks focused on “inspired leadership” in the Jesuit tradition. “Inspired leadership is what many today would call the development of a high performance team,” Dr. Johnson said. “It means to be part of a team committed to a common goal, a tight knit group that collaborates and innovates, just as Saint Ignatius did with the Society of Jesus so many years ago.” He also called for continued commitment to diversity, inclusion, and social justice at John Carroll and in the community. The investiture ceremony took place on Hamlin Quad, beginning with a 10:45 a.m. procession of delegates, University leadership, students and alumni. The University community was proud to welcome delegates from 17 members of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities (AJCU), and more than 40 additional institutions from across the country. The ceremony featured a missioning from the Very Reverend Brian Paulson, S.J., provincial of the Midwest Province of the Society of Jesus. Dr. Johnson was also presented with a Papal medal, blessed by Pope Francis, by Rev. Michael J. Sheeran, S.J., president of AJCU. Prior to the investiture ceremony, the John Carroll community celebrated the Mass of the Holy Spirit at the Church of the Gesu in University Heights. The two-day celebration included informal welcome sessions with faculty, staff and students on Wednesday. Dr. Johnson assumed the presidency on June 1, 2018. He was elected by the University Board of Directors on December 6, 2017, following a national search. He joined John Carroll from Babson College, where he served as provost and professor of marketing. Prior to his time at Babson, Dr. Johnson served as dean of Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration. He also held the E.M. Statler Professorship of Hotel Administration, and was a professor of marketing. Dr. Johnson previously served as the D. Maynard Phelps Collegiate Professor of Business Administration, and a professor of marketing at the University of Michigan’s Stephen M. Ross School of Business. For more information, visit go.jcu.edu/inauguration. [gallery link="file" columns="2" ids="7990,7982,7989,7981,7987,7986,7985,7984"]