ELLENSBURG, Wash. -- Central Washington University will inaugurate its 14th president, Dr. James Gaudino, on Friday.

Gaudino took his post in January, leaving behind his position as dean of the School of Communication and Information at Kent State University in Ohio. He replaced Jerilyn McIntyre, who served as Central’s president for eight years.

As part of the inaugural celebration, a free, pre-inaugural concert will be performed by the CWU Department of Music at the Concert Hall at 7 p.m. today.

Friday activities begin at 9:15 a.m. with a symposium examining the regional history of Native Americans, Ellensburg and the university in the Student Union Recreation Center. This will be followed by a plated luncheon at noon and a colorful processional march across campus to McConnell Auditorium for the installation of the president.

The celebration will conclude with a public reception immediately following the ceremony.

— Erin Snelgrove