Presidential Investiture
The Presidential Investiture of
Dr. Georj L. Lewis
Clayton State University's
Sixth President
Investiture Ceremony
September 20, 2024
10 a.m.
Spivey Hall
Investiture Reception
September 19, 2024
6 p.m. (Cocktail Hour) - 7 p.m. (Event)
James M. Baker University Center
President's Innovation Fund
In honor of Dr. Georj L. Lewis’ investiture, we invite you to support the newly established President's Innovation Fund.
These funds will equip the president to implement newly identified strategic opportunities that enhance our students’ experiences, grow the impact of our faculty and programs, and partner more effectively with our broader community.
About the Investiture
An investiture ceremony is an academic ceremony signifying the beginning of a new chapter of leadership for the university.
Clayton State University welcomes special guests and the community to the Investiture Ceremony for Georj L. Lewis, Ed.D., as the sixth President. The Presidential Investiture Ceremony will formally install him in on Office on September 20, 2024 at the Spivey Hall on campus. The ceremony will feature academic traditions, speakers, and remarks by the president.
The Procession
The procession allows faculty, graduates, and often dignitaries to mark the beginning of an academic event or ceremony. Participants traditionally wear academic regalia and carry traditional symbols to signify the unity of academia.
Academic Procession and Symbols
Academic Regalia
The custom of wearing a distinctive dress for academic ceremonies dates to the Middle ages when people dressed in keeping with their class. The literate class, the clergy, work the early academic costume: a heavy, dark gown with hoods and caps. The hood shows the greatest degree of symbolism.
The Medallion
The president’s medallion and chain of office designates the wearer as the temporary embodiment of the institution’s power and authority. The medallion of office bears the seal of Clayton State University. It contains the outline of the seal of the State of Georgia with the inscription “Constitution, Wisdom, Justice, moderation, 1969” in the center and “Clayton State University” and “University System of Georgia” circling the edge.
The University Mace
The University mace is a symbol of authority for the president and the Board of Regents. It originated in the Middle Ages as a weapon of last resort for military officers. It was later adopted as a symbol of power of ideas and need for protection of the academic quest for truth and wisdom. Clayton State’s mace was turned by Mark Barr, a Lyceum artist-in-residence, and was made from a tree that had been damaged by lighting on campus.
Meet the President
Dr. Lewis started his career in higher education 28 years ago and for the past 18 years, he has served in varying increasing roles of leadership to include Dean of Students at Georgia Southern University, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs at Indiana University, Vice President for Student Affairs at Armstrong State University and Georgia Southern University.
In May 2019, Dr. Lewis was tapped to serve as interim president of Atlanta Metropolitan State College, before officially being named the college’s fourth president in November of that year. He served in that role until February 2023 when he was appointed President of Clayton State University.
A native of southwestern Pennsylvania, Dr. Georj L. Lewis earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Business/Accounting, an Master’s of Arts in Counseling/Student Personnel, both from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Georgia Southern University.
Dr. Lewis is blessed to be the husband of Mrs. Anchelle Lewis, and proud to be the father of Miles, Georj II, and Jazmyn and the grandfather of Taylor, Taliya, Miles Jr. and Tres.
