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Recording by:  WRUF

Title: Inauguration of Stephen C. O’Connell

Dates: October 8, 1968

Duration: 1:30:45

Identification: Tape recording 133

File name: WRUF 29

 

Originally recorded on reel to reel tape at 7.5 ips

Digitally reformatted February 2008

 

This tape includes the complete inaugural ceremony for Stephen Cornelius O’Connell when he was installed as the sixth president of the University of Florida.  All that is missing from the tape is the musical prelude. The convocation took place in the Florida Gymnasium on Tuesday, October 8, at 9:30 AM.

 

After the processional the invocation was given by Reverend U.S. Gordon.  Chester H. Ferguson, the Chairman of the Florida Board of Regents presided over the event.  He introduced and recognized some of the important visitors and mentions that the governor and members of his cabinet are not present as their planes cannot land (probably due to weather conditions).  Greetings are offered to the President by representatives of the students, the faculty, the alumni, and the State of Florida.  As the governor (Claude R. Kirk, Jr.) did not arrive the greeting was extended by Tom Adams, the secretary of State.

After his official induction, O’Connell delivers his inaugural address. This is followed by the awarding of honorary degrees to Edith Briston Tigert,  Rt. Reverend Msgr. Jeremiah P. O’Mahoney, Elvis J. Stahr, and Jack K. Williams.  The Thomas Jefferson Award  was given to Dr. Gerald Langford.  The inaugural convocation concluded with the singing of the Alma Mater, the benediction by Rabbi Simeon Kobrinetz, and the recessional.

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