President Eric KalerâÄôs presidential portrait was unveiled today in front of Coffman Union.
Pictures of all 15 of KalerâÄôs predecessors hang in the PresidentâÄôs Room of the student union, but KalerâÄôs was the first portrait to be unveiled publicly.
âÄúWe hope this will become a longstanding tradition,âÄù said Joel Livingood, the president of the Student Union and Activities Board of Governors. Livingood shared the boardâÄôs impressions on each of the presidential portraits before the maroon cloth covering KalerâÄôs was removed.
âÄúJames Lewis Morrill is a thinker: possibly contemplating a budget cut,âÄù he joked of MorrillâÄôs portrait.
Kaler tweeted from the podium: âÄú#UMN students: You are why I’m here. Thx for the great week, the portrait and the Maroon and Gold welcome. #GoGophers! #MNall – Dr. K.âÄù
Kaler also thanked Gov. Mark Dayton for proclaiming Friday official Maroon and Gold day in Minnesota.
A surprise party for KalerâÄôs 55th birthday followed the unveiling ceremony at Coffman.
