“(A university’s) essential greatness, its most remarkable quality, lies in its distinctive intellectual character – a living culture that values and expresses the joy in intellectually and artistically scratching the surface of the world and in reveling in the exploration of its complexity.”

“As both a reflection and leader of society at large, we have a special challenge and responsibility to develop effective models of multicultural, pluralistic community for our nation. We must strive to achieve new levels of understanding, tolerance, and mutual fulfillment for peoples of diverse racial and cultural backgrounds.”

Student activism and political unrest marked much of Fleming’s tenure, which, by all accounts, he navigated with tremendous grace. As he said at his inauguration: “This is a time when a great international issue – the war in Vietnam – and a great domestic issue – race relations – divide our people. . . Is it too much to hope that in this home of the intellect we can conduct ourselves with dignity and respect? . . . My dream, my belief, my commitment is that on this campus we can and will preserve our community in its time-honored values.”

\”It is a tragic irony of our imperfect state that the mention of atomic power should almost universally call up visions and memories of annihilating explosions and rising mushrooms of the ashes and dust of disaster. How to convert the power which is thus symbolized into an instrument of peace for the comfort and welfare of mankind is the challenge to this generation.\” Here, we see Hatcher, Thomas Francis, Jonas Salk, and Basil O\’Connor, at the 1955 announcement of the polio vaccine.

Instead of an inauguration, Ruthven used his Oct. 6, 1929, appointment to issue what became known as the Ruthven Platform in which he declared, “The University president should serve as the chairman of the faculties, instead of trying to function as a combination of educational expert, spanker of recalcitrant youngsters, business executive, salesman, and medicine man for the country at large.” He is pictured here (center) in 1950, examining contents of the copper box from the cornerstone at University Hall. He is flanked by Vera Baits and Regent R.O. Bonisteel.

“True progress toward ideals will come only when ‘civilization,’ so-called, becomes unselfish enough to center its hopes on, and live its life for, the next generation.”

“The university, with all its shortcomings, stands as the impregnable citadel of truth.”

No record exists of an inuaugural address by Hutchins, who succeeded Angell in 1910. Hutchins traveled extensively in his first year in office meeting with alumni to encourage their support of the University by establishing active regional alumni organizations. Here, he is pictured (front, second from left) with faculty and regents at Camp Douglas.

“It is of vital consequence that this university, or any one which deserves the public favor, should be constantly improving in some respect. If it is not incessantly asking, ‘How can I do more or better work,’ it does not deserve to be favored or helped.” Angell is pictured here with his extended family at the President’s House,

“The first friends of the University are permitted to see, on the foundation which their own hands have laid, a majestic fabric arise,” said Haven at his inauguration. He would become part of that fabric when the Old Law Building (pictured here in 1900) was renamed Haven Hall. The building was destroyed by fire on June 6, 1950.

In this image, taken April 15, 1861, Tappan announces the onset of the Civil War to a crowd assembled in downtown Ann Arbor. At his inauguration nearly a decade earlier, he asked: “This young University, shall we not carry it forward to perfection?” (Image courtesy of U-M’s Bentley Historical Library.)