Jason Koski/University Photography

Following inauguration rehearsal on Sept. 6, Vice Presidents Tommy Bruce, left, and Mary Opperman, inauguration committee co-chairs, pose with M.J. Herson '68 and President David Skorton. Herson designed the inauguration staging. Copyright © Cornell University

Copyright © Cornell University

Buildings care staffers set up chairs around center stage on the Arts Quad in preparation for inauguration. Copyright © Cornell University

It may take a village to raise a child, but it takes a cast of hundreds to plan and execute a Cornell inauguration. Almost immediately after David Skorton first visited campus in January, when it was announced he would become Cornell's 12th president, planning began for his inauguration. In the eight months since, staff members across campus have worked with consultants, performers and others to stage a memorable series of events.

The potential for rain -- which would drive events into Barton Hall -- loomed as low as the Ithaca sky over the planning process. The decision to move indoors would have been made early on inauguration morning.

In March, inauguration committee co-chairs Mary Opperman, vice president for human resources, and Tommy Bruce, vice president for university communications, assembled a planning committee and working groups to coordinate production and distribution of ads, the inauguration Web site, e-mails, save-the-date cards, invitations, RSVPs, tickets, a media handbook, audio and video recordings, podcasts, posters and a book of celebratory poetry for the Ithaca, New York City and Qatar campuses.

Care was taken to involve everyone at the university, including its most important constituency. "HEY STUDENTS," ran an ad of invitation in The Cornell Daily Sun, "WANT TO BE PART OF HISTORY IN THE MAKING?"

"I think the best part of the experience has been, as usual, the Cornell staff coming together, adding this to their regular work, volunteering, putting in countless hours, having a great sense of humor about it, being really flexible," said Opperman. "I want it to be something that David is really pleased with. We're working really hard to make that happen."

By April, the duties were established for committees working on the handling of guests representing learned societies, trustees, delegates from other universities, faculty and students, volunteers, transportation, security, database development, entertainment and broadcasting of the ceremonies on local cable, online and via satellite to Weill Cornell Medical College.

"When all is said and done, what we were hoping to do is create a moment that is quintessentially Cornellian, in which not only would we be receiving our new president and installing him, but also that the myriad facets of Cornell would be on display in some extremely simple but clear fashion," said Bruce.

As summer approached, work on the inauguration intensified. No detail went overlooked. Detailed schematic drawings of the Arts Quad were considered and reconsidered, along with contingency plans for Barton Hall. Would the rays of sunlight on the Arts Quad at 3:30 p.m., Sept. 7, at an azimuth of 244 degrees magnetic, 232 degrees true at an altitude of 41 degrees, shine in the audience's eyes? Minutiae of the inaugural ceremony -- the rehearsal, robing and regalia, the procession, the role of delegates presenters and past presidents, and the securing of hotel rooms -- were hammered out. How would music be used? Should it be live or digital? What was the president's flavor preference for the inaugural ice cream?

"Planning an event of this magnitude has been a whole lot of fun," said Connie Mabry, director of commencement events. "We want it to be a wonderful representation of the staff that planned it. Everyone's worked so hard. A lot of thought has gone into this event. And we're really looking forward to Friday."

"We try to capture the culture of the incoming president," said consultant M.J. Herson '68, who designed the inauguration staging and has worked on Cornell's last three inaugurations. "We wanted to reflect David's emphasis on the arts and humanities. We felt it was very important to be on the quad. It's a very Zen, simple, pure design that uses the pathways of the quad."

The tone of the inauguration, it was decided, should be simple, economical, Cornell-focused and suggest forward movement. Skorton let it be known that he would like the ceremonies to be a celebration for the entire community. Events would reinforce themes of connectedness, inclusiveness and diversity.

The forecast for Sept. 7: partly sunny skies as the Skorton era begins at Cornell.