As The Green begins its transformation into Friday’s celebratory setting, I thought I would take a moment to share how I am feeling about the upcoming inauguration. So many of you have reached out with congratulations. I am so grateful for these best wishes. But I have to say — this event is not really about me. It is about us, a community coming together to mark a new beginning.

The guiding principles behind the design of the events and gatherings planned for Thursday and Friday are these:

• Let’s welcome the whole community,
• Let’s provide a stage to showcase our incredible people,
• Let’s celebrate.

And so, we formed a planning group of faculty, staff and students and asked them, “How do you want to get involved?” The answers were inspired, generous and just plain fun.

Let me give you an example. It was Emilie Delaye, a fashion and apparel studies master’s student who suggested that her department could make my dress for the gala. What a creative experience — from the racerback design and the blue and gold thread to the jacket with winged sneakers — 150 of them that represent their 150 majors — to the matching clutch with the blue feather. The photo above shows me with Professors Katya Roelse and Adriana Gorea looking at shoe options — we landed on a Delaware blue sneaker heel that I can’t wait to wear.

I am so grateful to students Casey Tyler, Lily Guilbault, Julia Walton and John Wargins for creating such a statement piece that I will proudly model to showcase their incredible talent. And the best part is that Katya and Adriana are submitting the whole project (and dress) to a conference in their academic field!

Here's the latest from around the Beat: Inauguration Synopsis:

Thursday Breakfast in Georgetown: Festivities will start in Georgetown with a breakfast that recognizes our deep and sustained commitment to agriculture and the coast, as well as our efforts in creating access, training teachers and building a medical education workforce. The program will feature our connections to elected officials and community leaders, with remarks by Senator Brian Pettyjohn, Lewes Mayor Amy Marasco, Georgetown Mayor Bill West, Representative Valerie Jones Giltner and former Delaware Speaker of the House Pete Schwartzkopf.

Thursday Lunch in Wilmington: Our lunch in Wilmington is an opportunity to showcase our important partnerships across sectors including higher education, business and government. The program will feature remarks by Tony Allen, president of Delaware State University, UD alumnus and former UD trustee; Brian DiSabatino, chair of the Delaware Business Roundtable; Yvonne Deadwyler, president and CEO of the New Castle County Chamber of Commerce; and Wilmington Mayor John Carney.

Thursday Prez Run & Walk: After all that eating, we will gather as a community at 3 p.m. at Mentors’ Circle for a Run & Walk. The run will follow the regular Prez Run route — to the track and back (5K distance) — and the walk will stay on campus (1 mile distance). Come on out and participate and earn your special inauguration edition Prez Run sticker.

Thursday Gala at the Bob: What better way to celebrate than getting dressed up? I am so excited to unveil my custom-made dress. This event is also a way to celebrate our location in the wonderful city of Newark, with comments by Mayor Travis McDermott, Senate President Pro Tempore Dave Sokola (please also take the opportunity to thank him for his decades of service to the state), and Lt. Governor Kyle Evans Gay. Other highlights will be the reading of a poem written for the inauguration by Professor Amish Trivedi, and a toast from my three sisters (they assure me there are no embarrassing stories from junior high school).

Friday Procession: Really, this is a parade. We will march out of Gore Hall, led by the Marching Band, circle the North Green, picking up groups of staff and students, all the while being cheered on by our RSOs and athletes.

Friday Ceremony: The procession will end at the steps of Memorial Hall where we will hear from President Biden, Senator Coons, Senator Blunt Rochester, Governor Meyer, Fr. John Jenkins, President Emeritus of the University of Notre Dame, and me. We will also be treated to a trumpet solo, a shared reading of “On the Pulse of Morning” and a violin/guitar duet.

Friday Community BBQ: Think food, think lawn games, think music, think coming together as a community.

Because this is about us.

Yours in UD,