President Philip E. Austin's blue robe caught the fancy of his boys, Patrick, 10, and P.J., 8. They tugged admiringly at the garb and were always at their father's side prior to the processional. Austin later brought the boys and his wife, Susan, onto the stage.

From a luncheon with major contributors at Centennial Alumni House to a public reception in the Student Union Lobby, Austin darted around campus all day, greeted by faculty, staff, students and well-wishers. In fact, he could barely make his way to the food at the reception because of the crowds waiting to meet him. While getting robed outside the Jorgensen Theatre, he made every effort to shake as many hands as possible.

Among the 52 delegates representing other colleges and universities were Richard C. Levin, president of Yale University, and William Cibes, president of the Connecticut State University System. Other institutions represented included: Harvard, Princeton, Dartmouth, Williams, Bowdoin, Trinity College, University of Virginia, University of Alabama, Utah State University, and many regional and state public and private universities.

Despite having been in charge of the Colorado State and University of Alabama systems, this was Austin's first inauguration. "I chose not to have one before, but when I arrived here, I learned it was a tradition. So, when in Rome ..."