Santa Ono formally installed as University of Michigan's 15th president

As he was formally installed Tuesday as the 15th president of the University of Michigan, Santa Ono called on his campus community to continue pushing for solutions to the world's greatest problems.

He noted climate change, the pandemic and racism as among the areas that needed attention but said U-M is up to the task.

"We are showing that collaboration and partnership are a better solution than anger and conflict," he said, talking about efforts through the Gerald Ford School of Public Policy to make the world better.

He noted U-M has a strong legacy to live up to.

"Today, we are proudly a public university, still aspiring to be welcoming to all, inclusive of all, exceptional for all.

"Let us transform our excellence into action and impact. Let us create a brighter, stronger and more vibrant university — one better prepared and positioned to educate tomorrow’s leaders who are our students today. Let us build that university together."

Recounting several instances where previous U-M presidents took bold steps, Ono said he will push U-M to grow.

"I'm convinced that the brightest days for the University of Michigan lie ahead," he said. "This is our moment to dream bold dreams."

Ono also said one of his top priorities is student mental health.

"Student health and well-being will be — is — one of my highest priorities as president of the University of Michigan," he said. "So let us walk together toward wellness and wholeness at Michigan."

While much of the ceremony was formal in nature, it did have its fun moments.

At the conclusion of his speech, Ono pulled a blue whistle out of his pocket, gave three blasts and a cello choir launched into "The Victors" with the audience clapping along.

Ono assumed leadership of U-M on Oct. 14. It is part of the academic tradition to hold the formal installation of a president several months after the person begins work. Ono took over from Mary Sue Coleman, who returned to U-M for a second stint as president after the Board of Regents fired Mark Schlissel over allegations of improper conduct in office.

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Ono is the first Asian and the first minority to be the full-time leader of the university and its roughly 60,000 students. Ono came to U-M from the University of British Columbia, where he had served as president since 2016. Before that, he was the president of the University of Cincinnati.

Ono is a vision researcher whose work focuses on the immune system and eye disease.

A plethora of dignitaries, including representatives from more than 50 other universities and local and state politicians were in attendance Tuesday for Ono's inauguration at Hill Auditorium on U-M's Ann Arbor campus.

"This is a momentous occasion, a very important celebration, not just for U-M — but for the state of Michigan," Michigan Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist, himself a U-M graduate, said to attendees at the ceremony.

Ono has quickly made his mark on campus. He has lived up to his reputation as an outgoing president. He is known for his social media posts of him visiting Ann Arbor restaurants, selfies with U-M students on campus and in airports and congratulatory posts after athletic team wins.

Sara Timmons, a U-M alum, was on campus visiting her daughter, a sophomore, for lunch and stopped to watch the long processional of academics in their full regalia parade across campus. She gave Ono high marks for his first few months.

"I think he's been exactly what we needed," she said. "It feels like he really puts the students first and cares about them in such a genuine way."

Contact David Jesse: 313-222-8851 or djesse@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter: @reporterdavidj

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Ono formally installed as University of Michigan's 15th president