OREM -- Utah Valley University will be celebrating the inauguration of new President Matthew Holland this week in an effort to involve the entire community.

Val Hale, advancement vice president and co-chair of the inaugural committee, said the inauguration will not be the usual day of pomp and circumstance. Instead, Holland asked the committee to expand the celebration to the whole week and involve every aspect of the university and community, Hale said. The resulting events will exemplify Holland's core philosophy for the university, he said.

"One of his themes is that UVU should be an inclusive institution and an engaged institution and a serious institution," Hale said.

As such, the week's events will include humanitarian and academic lectures and family activities, as well as the formal inauguration ceremonies on Friday. Hale said the celebration is a chance for students and the community to feel more connected with the institution and its new president.

Holland has been the president of UVU since June 1. Hale said the inauguration is taking place four months later because of the extensive planning required and to allow people to become acquainted with Holland in the months between.

"It's traditional that the inauguration takes place some time after the president takes office," Hale said.

Holland said inaugurations are a great way to bring the community together. He wanted the set of events for the week to show a team effort, rather than to simply focus on him, Holland said. The events are a collective display of all the components of the university and what it has to offer, he said.

"We make this less about Matt Holland and more about the whole institution," he said.

While Friday will hold a degree of formality surrounding the president's inauguration, Holland said it also will be a focus on the students. The inaugural ball has been replaced by the annual scholarship ball to raise money for student scholarships. Holland said it is important that the students are the central focus of the university.

"It culminates in a night focused on students and helping them succeed," he said.

For more information about the week's events, visit www.uvu.edu.

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• UVU pres. says school will be 'engaged, inclusive and serious'