The Sarasota-Manatee campus celebrated this week’s investiture of University of South Florida President Rhea Law with a reception that highlighted the campus’s students and their well wishes for USF’s leader.
Faculty, staff and students welcomed Law to campus on Tuesday evening in the second of a series of inauguration events leading to her formal installation as USF’s eighth president Thursday on the Tampa campus. Earlier in the day, Law attended a similar, celebratory reception on the St. Petersburg campus.
Sarasota-Manatee campus Regional Chancellor Karen Holbrook said Law’s presidency, which started last March, coincides with “a defining moment” for the campus. Construction of a new housing and student center will break ground next month, and planning is underway for a Nursing/STEM building that will allow expansion of nursing, engineering and other degree programs at the campus.
Holbrook and Rick Piccolo, chairman of the Campus Board, said both projects would not be possible without Law’s support.
“She is so connected with this community, with this campus,” Holbrook said. “She is a president leading us in the right direction.”
Law recalled being on campus when the Crosley Campus Center opened in 2006, and wondering, “Where’s the rest?”
“I’m so happy to say we’re getting to the rest,” Law said. “Thank you for supporting your university. USF is your university.”
The reception featured a video in which Sarasota-Manatee students shared their congratulations for Law and their hopes for her presidency. The evening was capped off by a tap dance performance by the Find Your Rhythm Tap Club, a new student organization at the Sarasota-Manatee campus.
“This is a little overwhelming, but I promise I will remember it forever,” Law said.
For complete coverage of the inauguration of President Law, click here.