Occidental College is proud to invite a number of delegate groups to march in the official processional at the Inauguration of President Harry J. Elam, Jr.
Delegates include Occidental faculty and staff, student and alumni and parent delegates representing groups across the College, as well as distinguished representatives from various colleges and universities.
Please note that this page only contains information for those who will be marching in the official processional. If you will be attending the ceremony as a spectator, please click here.
Processional Check-in and Lunch
For those who will be participating in the Inauguration Procession, the Processional Check-in and Lunch will begin at 12:30 p.m. You will check-in and enjoy lunch before lining up to process.
At 1:15 p.m. non-marching guests should move to seating in the Remsen Bird Hillside Theater, and delegates will be lined up in preparation for the Inauguration Processional.
Please Note: We require all visitors to campus be fully vaccinated and boosted if eligible. Masks are required indoors, and are strongly recommended outdoors, especially with large gatherings. Click here for further details.
Processional Attire and Parking
Processional attire and parking information can be found on each processional group’s page. A confirmation email will also be sent to all processional participants in mid-April.
Parking will be in high demand, and we strongly recommend using a rideshare service for those considering this option. The designated rideshare drop-off point will be located in the Booth Parking Lot off of Bird Road at the College entrance located on Campus Road and Ridgeview Avenue.
Shuttles will run on designated routes on campus between 12 p.m. and 10 p.m. on Saturday, April 23. Note: after 1:30 p.m., shuttles will no longer run to the main entrance of Hillside Theater for the Installation Ceremony, and will instead take guests needing ADA access to view the Installation Ceremony to the top level of Hillside Theater.
Processional
The Inauguration Procession is scheduled to begin at 2:00 p.m. and will last about 25 minutes. All delegates will march from their check-in locations into the Remsen Bird Hillside Theater. Each group of delegates will have at least one marshal who will lead you to the appropriate seating area for the Installation Ceremony.
Installation Ceremony
The Installation Ceremony will begin promptly at 2:30 p.m. immediately following the processional, and will last until about 4:00 p.m. It is at this ceremony that Harry J. Elam, Jr. will be formally installed as the sixteenth president of Occidental College. Processional delegates will participate in the recessional at the conclusion of the ceremony, which could last until as late as 4:30 p.m.
Community Celebration
Immediately following the ceremony, all guests are invited to attend the all-campus celebration on the Academic Quad. The Community Celebration will include free food, games, music, student performances and festivities for our guests and their families.