Photo Galleries

(left to right) Peter Schumann, Michael and Katherine McCoy, Lewis Hyde, Madison Cario and Myra Bazell discuss their creative processes during the Improvise/Commit panel discussion.

Percussion, sound, media and performance artist Toshi Makihara (left) mixes it up with the UArts Rumble Ensemble.

Students, faculty and staff absorb discussion about the creative process during the Improvise/Commit panel discussion.

Moderator Lewis Hyde introduces the panel.

President Buffington introduces panel moderator Lewis Hyde

(left to right) President Buffington shares a laugh with Lewis Hyde, Media Arts professor Peter Rose and Crafts professor Sharon Church.

President Buffington introduces Kevin O'Rourke to Associate Provost and Director of Inauguration Laura Zarrow, as panel moderator and CMAC prof Jeff Ryder looks on.

The principals of testtube.tv, (left to right) Kevin O'Rourke, Richard Dresser and Jay Tarses

testtube.tv's Kevin O'Rourke responds to a question from the audience.

Panel moderator and CMAC professor Jeff Ryder (left) introduces testtube.TV principles Kevin O'Rourke, Richard Dresser and Jay Tarses before the panel discussion about the effects of the Internet on episodic network television.

Book artist Richard Minsky and President Buffington share a laugh before Minsky's presentation.

Book artist Richard Minsky exhibits his work.

Book artist Richard Minsky begins his lecture.

Book artist Richard Minsky greets a lecture attendee.

Members of the SCRAP Performance Group discuss their performance in Tide.

Members of the SCRAP Performance Group discuss their performance in Tide.

President Buffington discusses "Tide" with audience members.

Members of the SCRAP Performance Group get ready to take a bow after their performance of "Tide."

Members of the SCRAP Performance Group in "Tide."

A member of the SCRAP Performance Group in "Tide."

Alumna Anne Sciolla sings with the Lars Halle Jazz Orchestra

Alumna Meg Clifton Mitchell sings "Seems Like Old Times" with the Lars Halle Jazz Orchestra

Rick Lawn, dean of the College of Performing Arts and interim provost, belts out a tune

Alumni Mike Cemprola riffs on his saxophone during a performance with the Lars Halle Jazz Orchestra

Members of Rennie Harris Puremovement perform "Continuum."

Members of Rennie Harris Puremovement perform "March of the Antmen."

Members of Rennie Harris Puremovement perform "P-Funk."

Alumni Stanley Clarke and President Buffington talk about the Rennie Harris Puremovement performance.

Alumni Stanley Clarke on his signature bass

School of Music Director Marc Dicciani plays with his former classmate Stanley Clarke

Alumni Stanley Clarke on his signature bass

Grand Marshall Sophia Bilynsky '79, Chair of the Alumni Council, leads the procession from Gershman Hall to the Merriam Theater.

The Inaugural procession makes its way down South Broad Street.

The Inaugural procession crosses South Broad Street on its way to the Merriam Theater.

The UArts Big Band entertains as Inauguration guests enter the Merriam Theater.

UArts Trustees Chair Ronald Naples officially welcomes guests to the Inauguration of Sean T. Buffington.

The UArts Big Band sings America the Beautiful.

Faculty, alumni, students, representatives of other colleges and universities, and other guests, in the Merriam Theater.

Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter delivers greetings and congratulations on behalf of the city.

Barnes Foundation President Derek Gillman delivers greetings on behalf of Arts and Cultural organizations.

Harvard Provost Dr. Steven Hyman congratulates his former associate provost, Sean Buffington, on his installation as UArts president.

UArts Trustee Eleanor Davis, chair of the Inauguration Committee, delivers congratulations on behalf of the Board of Trustees.

Greetings on behalf of the UArts faculty are delivered by Professor Jack DeWitt, chair of the UArts Faculty Council.

Sophia Bilynsky '79, chair of the UArts Alumni Council and Inauguration Grand Marshall, delivers greetings on behalf of the alumni.

Amanda Collette '02 delivers congratulations on behalf of the UArts Staff Council.

UArts Student Council President Doshanna Bell congratulates President Sean T. Buffington on behalf of students.

The UArts Transfusion Ensemble, featuring guest bassist and UArts Master Lecturer Gerald Veasley, plays School Days, a tribute to its author, UArts alumnus and honorary doctorate awardee Stanley Clarke.

UArts Board of Trustees Chair Ronald Naples presents the Honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts to jazz legend and UArts alumnus Stanley Clarke.

Jazz legend and UArts alumnus Stanley Clarke accepts applause after receiving the Honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts.

UArts President Sean T. Buffington leads the applause for Honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts recipient Stanley Clarke.

The UArts Chorus performs Lunar Landscape, an original piece composed by Music Professor Jeffrey Kern for the Inauguration, based on the poem by W.S. Mervin.

UArts President Emeritus Peter Solmssen, UArts' first president, presents Sean T. Buffington the Presidential Medallion, installing him as the University's third president.

President Sean T. Buffington delivers his Inaugural address.

Newly inaugurated UArts President Sean T. Buffington greets well-wishers during the procession down South Broad Street from the Merriam Theater to Gershman Hall.

UArts Trustees Chair Ronald Naples, President Sean T. Buffington and Honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts recipient Stanley pose in front of Hamilton Hall.

UArts students celebrate the Inauguration of Sean T. Buffington, along with giant puppets designed and built by UArts students and Spiral Q Puppet Theater, during the post-Inaugural procession down South Broad Street. © April Saul/Philadelphia Inquirer Staff Photographer

The post-Inaugural procession down South Broad Street makes a festive impression on passersby. © April Saul/Philadelphia Inquirer Staff Photographer

The UArts Second Line New Orleans Ensemble leads the post-Inaugural procession, along with giant puppets constructed by UArts students and the Spiral Q Puppet Theater. © April Saul/Philadelphia Inquirer Staff Photographer

Some of the student-constructed puppets were featured in the post-Inauguration procession.

President Buffington mingles with Inauguration guests at the post-event celebration in Gershman Hall.

A giant puppet created by students and the Spiral Q Puppet Theater makes its way through the crowd at the post-Inaugural celebration.

President Buffington shares a laugh with a guest in the Gershman Hall post-event party.

Stanley Clarke, UArts Chief Advancement Officer Saba Rodriguez and members of President Buffington's family admire the presidential medallion he received during his installation.

Guests at the post-Inauguration celebration enjoy the food and the music.

UArts students pose with President Sean T. Buffington in t-shirts they created for the Inauguration. © Harris Fogel 2008

Students designed and printed special t-shirts celebrating the installation of Sean T. Buffington as UArts' president. © Harris Fogel 2008