Rice University. Presidential Inaugural Committee.

On Friday, October 25, 1985, George Rupp was officially inaugurated as the fifth president of Rice University. He had taken office as President on July 1, 1985. Dr. Rupp had previously been the dean of Harvard University's Divinity School for six years.

The inaugural proceedings were held out of doors in the Rice Academic Quadrangle at 2:30 p.m. The inaugural dinner was held at the Westin Galleria Hotel Ballroom.

Speakers at the events were: Inauguration Speaker - John Archibald Wheeler, from University of Texas at Austin; Inaugural Banquet Speaker - Derek Bok, President of Harvard; Banquet Speaker - James Laney, President of Emory.

Paul Cooper, composer in residence of the Shepherd School, composed the original music for the inauguration ceremonies, Music for a Festive Occasion: Canons for Eight Trumpets. The Rice University Band, conducted by Kenneth Dye, provided the music.

Around 400 delegates representing universities and learned societies from around the world registered for the inauguration.

From the guide to the Rice University Presidential Inaugural Committee Records: President George Rupp, October 25, 1985, (Rice University Archives, Woodson Research Center, Fondren Library, Rice University, Houston, TX)