‘Let us carry this light forward’
MacKinnon shares his goals for CMU at his Presidential Investiture
Central Michigan President Neil MacKinnon gives his presidential address during the Presidential Investiture in the Plachta Auditorium of Warriner Hall, Friday, April 4, 2025. MacKinnon began his speech by saying, "I am honored today and every day to be among students who dream big." (CM-Life | Alivia Cranick)
Neil MacKinnon was officially vested as Central Michigan University's 16th president in a ceremony Friday, where he shared his goals for the university under his leadership.
Members of CMU’s community, as well as family and friends of the president, gathered inside Warriner Hall on April 4 for the official transfer of presidential symbols and authority to MacKinnon.
During his speech, he stated how important the university’s five-year strategic plan is to CMU's future.
“We are defined by the success of our students, alumni and by our collective impact with the communities we serve,“ he said. “The priorities in our strategic plan that undergird the mission are noble ones to inspire student success, engage communities to enhance our culture and to ensure institutional sustainability."
He also listed a number of programs that the university has created since his tenure began in November, such Go Grants, the University Transformation Office and the Community Relations Committee to help accomplish CMU’s goals.
“Some of the best ideas to reach our goals of our strategic plan will come from students, faculty and staff,” MacKinnon said. “So for the past two months, we've encouraged them to apply for a grant and to put their ideas into action.
"Another exciting way that we will be meeting our university strategic plan is the creation of the University Transformation Office. This dynamic unit is charged with providing guidance and direction to university initiatives."
Since being first introduced as CMU’s next president, MacKinnon has shared the pride he has in his Scottish heritage. As part of the investiture, the university unveiled its official tartan pattern, which is register with The Scottish Registry of Tartans.
Throughout his speech, MacKinnon mentioned idea of “fire” serval times.
He told the story of the 1925's fire that burned what was the Central Michigan Normal School’s Main Building. He said many thought the university wouldn’t recover.
MacKinnon used this story as an example of the “spark of curiosity, the light that reveals new possibilities and the heat that forges resilience.”
“On Dec. 7, 1925, a fire tore through Central Michigan Normal School's (CMU’s previous title) old main building right where we are today,” he said. “The site was cleared for the construction of a new administrative building that would become Warriner Hall. …You could say it was literally a fire that forged resilience here at CMU.”
He finshed the ceremony by asking that the CMU community come together to help achieve CMU’s goals.
“Higher education is a noble purpose that lights a fire within us; it creates a light that shows others the way,” MacKinnon said. “So join me in now lighting that fire and let your light shine before others ... Let us carry this light forward. Not just for ourselves but for the communities and the world we serve"
