A CELEBRATION FOR BYU
By Jeffrey S. McClellan, '94, Editor
The inauguration of Elder Cecil O. Samuelson as BYU's 12th president honored the university community as well as its new leader. On Sept. 9 in front of more than 21,000 members of the BYU community, President Gordon B. Hinckley of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints reached up and hung a presidential medallion around the neck of Cecil O. Samuelson, charging him to lead Brigham Young University to new heights.But amid the colorful academic robes, the music that filled the Marriott Center, and the extended standing ovation, it gradually became clear that this inauguration was not just a celebration of a man and his office. Expressions of gratitude acknowledged the contributions of the entire university family, melodic strains stirred feelings of deeper themes, and speakers dwelt on the inspired mission of BYU."I am frankly embarrassed," said President Samuelson of the attention he was receiving, "but am constantly reminded that today is not about me. It is all about this wonderful place and idea we know as Brigham Young University."President Hinckley celebrated the school's success in fulfilling its lofty purpose. "Here we are doing what is not done in any other major university of which I am aware," he said. "We are demonstrating that faith in the Almighty can accompany and enrich scholarship in the secular. It is more than an experiment. It is an accomplishment."That accomplishment, said President Samuelson, results from the contributions of many. Faculty members, students, staff, donors, and alumni were all honored for their devotion and achievements, and the new president reminded the university community of "our debt for the substantive and continuing support of those many who assist and enable us through their faithful living of the law of tithing. This includes the poor and meek who may never have the privilege of a direct BYU experience."President Samuelson also called attention to the contributions of the past. "We must never forget those whose vision and sacrifices have made our comfortable and positive present possible," he said, acknowledging the presence of his predecessor, Elder Merrill J. Bateman, clad, like President Samuelson, in blue presidential robes. "President Bateman built impressively on the firm foundation he found when he arrived and in turn left the university strengthened in important ways."Just as the festivities lauded more than the president, so President Hinckley extended his charge to the whole university. To the faculty he emphasized the need to strengthen scholarship and to focus on building character. "We should not have failures on this campus," he said of the students. "We are more than teachers. We are shepherds."From students President Hinckley urged concerted effort. "Mediocrity will never do," he said. "You are capable of something better. Give it your very best. You will never again have such an opportunity. Pray about it. Work at it. Make it happen. Drink in the great knowledge here to be obtained from this dedicated faculty."As inaugurations go, the ceremony was brief—a mere 55 minutes—and the fanfare was subdued. Still, as 600 student musicians in the choir and orchestra filled the arena with hymns of praise, there was a definite atmosphere of celebration—celebration for a university, for inspired leadership, for the providence of a divine hand."We must always keep in mind our sacred mission," said President Samuelson, "to seek the best of academic and scholastic achievement within the enfolding environment and sustaining power of abiding faith in our Heavenly Father; in His Son, our Savior; and in the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. We cannot neglect or be passive about either our environment of faith or our commitment to academic excellence. In all that we do, we want to bless our students by never allowing the balance between these fundamental basics to become tilted in any direction."Read remarks made by President Hinckley and President Samuelson at the inauguration. 
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