Milwaukee Area Technical College celebrates the investiture of Dr. Anthony Cruz as the college’s 11th and first Latino president. An investiture is a symbolic ceremony that installs the college’s president into office.
In the week leading up to the investiture ceremony, MATC is hosting events across our campuses to spotlight signature programs and give Dr. Cruz the opportunity to share his vision for the college’s future with community partners.
Investiture Ceremony
Friday, September 19 - 10 a.m.
Downtown Milwaukee Campus, Cooley Auditorium
Ceremony begins promptly at 10 a.m. - attendees should be seated by 9:50 a.m.
Live stream link will be available on the day of the event
Community Connections
Friday, September 12
9-11 a.m.
Walker’s Square Education Center, Cyber Cafe
Monday, September 15
9-11 a.m.
Downtown Milwaukee Campus, Room M605
11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m
West Allis Campus, Room 114
Tuesday, September 16
9-11 a.m.
Oak Creek Campus, cafeteria
Wednesday, September 17
9-11 a.m.
Mequon Campus, auditorium
The Significance of Investiture
An investiture is a ceremony that formally installs an individual into office. In higher education, that person is usually a college or university president. The ceremony begins with a grand academic procession of delegates from other institutions, district board members and honored guests walking in their academic regalia. The highlight of MATC’s ceremony is the vesting of Dr. Cruz with the chain of office and the presidential medallion. Here is a guide to the symbols of the ceremony.
Symbols of Investiture
Academic Regalia
American academic dress follows a uniform code drawn up by a special commission in 1895. Holders of master’s and doctoral degrees wear hoods; those with a doctoral degree have a larger hood, and the gown has horizontal velvet bars on the sleeves. Hood linings symbolize the official colors of the institution from which the individual earned his or her degree. The color of the velvet outer edge of a hood (the portion draped under the chin and over the shoulders) represents a special field of learning: for example, blue for education, white for arts and humanities, brown for business, yellow for science, and citron for social science.
College Seal
Encircled by a laurel wreath signifying achievement, the flame of knowledge is the centerpiece of the MATC seal. It represents the college as a source of light, dispelling ignorance and uncertainty, leading students to a brighter future.
CHAIN OF OFFICE AND THE PRESIDENTIAL MEDALLION
MATC’s chain of office is a necklace featuring a medallion with the college seal. The medallion represents the president’s authority, responsibility and commitment to the community and the college. The links in the chain connect the medallion to plaques etched with the names of the college’s four campuses, the Education Center at Walker’s Square and Milwaukee PBS.
MATC Mace
The mace is carried at the front of the academic procession. MATC's mace was first presented to the college by the MATC Technical and Industrial Division at the 1992 graduation ceremony. It was produced using one of the oldest building materials, wood, and the product of an age-old industry, metal casting. Students, faculty and staff crafted it into its enduring, polished form. During the Middle Ages, a mace was often used in battle, but it has evolved into a symbol of authority and dignity. Today, MATC's mace represents the value of knowledge, the dignity of the human spirit and the strength of education in the battle against the forces of ignorance.
Additional Information
Meet Dr. Cruz - Presidential Bio (link)
Past Presidents of MATC (link)
Mission, Vision and Values (link)
Ascend Together - Strategic Plan (link)
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Many people contributed to the planning of the investiture ceremony. This milestone event was a celebration for our college, and it would not have been possible without the talent, time and dedication of all those involved.
Investiture Planning Committee
Investiture Work Group
MATC Departments
Marketing and Communications, Catering, Facilities and Operations, Print Services, Public Safety, and Technical Staff
MATC Music Faculty Student Alumni Vocal Ensemble
Milwaukee PBS