In a few days, McMaster will be marking a new milestone when Susan Tighe is installed as the university’s ninth president and vice-chancellor.  

University presidential installations are steeped in ceremony, enriched by more than a century of traditions. 

At the installation on September 16, the president will be formally given the responsibilities of the office, though President Tighe — like many of her predecessors — took on her role as president and vice-chancellor a few months before the official ceremony.  

The on-campus installation, which will be livestreamed, also serves as a chance for the new president to share their vision for the university.  

There’s a rich history behind the traditions involved in presidential installations at McMaster. Here’s a guide to what’s happening – and the meaning behind each object, robe, and person on stage.  

“Today is a day when emotions are close to the surface, memories are freshened and reminiscences in order, when the future looms at once full of promise and uncertainty.” – Presidential installation address of Peter George, president 1995-2010

The charter 

As a token of their responsibility, the president receives a copy of the charter of the university.  

The McMaster University Act, 1976, is a provincial statute that officially established the modern structure of McMaster University and gives the university the authority to confer degrees.  

The act established the governance structure of the university and defines the roles of its two governing bodies: the University Senate (which directs the academic work of the university) and the Board of Governors (which oversees the management, conduct, and property of the university).  

“If I have some doubts, some qualms, some fears, as I face my new responsibilities, I can take courage from the support I have received and know that I will continue to receive from my wife and from my colleagues, the Board of Governors and the Senate of this University.” – Presidential installation address of H. G. Thode, president 1961-1972

The act also formally created the faculties of the university. Today there are six faculties, each under the leadership of a dean: Business (now the DeGroote School of Business), Engineering, Health Sciences, Humanities, Science and Social Sciences.  

Notably, the act also marked McMaster as a non-denominational public institution, while acknowledging its Christian origins as McMaster Divinity College. 

The McMaster University Act will be ceremoniously presented to Tighe on stage during the ceremony.  

The president’s robes 

The robes of the president and vice-chancellor are maroon — the same colour as McMaster’s  doctoral robe.  

The president’s robes are trimmed with gold oakleaf lace, and the sleeves are decorated with hand-made gold ornaments.  

The regalia includes a mortarboard cap, with gold lace edging and a gold tassel.  

While the cap technically should be worn at all occasions, it’s a personal choice. Peter George (1995-2010) always wore the cap, while Patrick Deane (2010-2019) rarely, if ever, did.  

During her term as provost and vice-president (academic), from 2020 to 2025, Tighe regularly wore a cap with her academic robes. Tighe purchased her regalia in 2000 from the University of Waterloo where she received her PhD. 

The president’s maroon robes are similar in style to the black robes of the chancellor, but as a mark of respect, they must be less ornate than the chancellor’s robes. Additionally, when the president makes or returns a salute, they may take off their cap; the chancellor would only touch their cap.  

The current set of presidential robes were gifted to the university by the McMaster Alumni Association.  

The robes will typically undergo small changes from president to president, with alterations focused on increased comfort and function. President Tighe’s robes will also include pockets. If the design is being substantively modified, it must be approved by the Senate Committee on Ceremonials, as the design generally is dictated by Senate policy.  

In the most unique part of the ceremony, two groups will take to the stage to help Tighe replace her academic robes with her presidential robes.  

The people invited to be part of the robing represent McMaster’s community of students, staff, faculty and alumni. In past years, that has included the president of the McMaster University Faculty Association (MUFA); the president of UNIFOR Local 5555, the largest labour group on campus; presidents of McMaster student unions and associations; and the president of the Alumni Association.  

Three people will assist Tighe in removing her academic robes and hood. Two will assist her with putting on the presidential robes, and one person will present the president with her cap. The robing helpers will then all return to their seats, as Tighe remains standing at center stage.  

“I have worked in universities for more than 40 years and have always – indeed increasingly – been invigorated by the way students have challenged received wisdom and advanced the human intellectual and social project. If there was ever a gap between us, I have strained to hear your voices from the other side, to learn from what you have had to say and from what you have done.” – 2017 Convocation address of Patrick Deane, president 2010-2019

The installation address 

Once in her presidential robes, Tighe will address the crowd, outlining her vision for McMaster.  

So far, Tighe has spoken about her priorities for the university to work as a partner to building a better, stronger Hamilton community; to empower innovation, commercialization and entrepreneurship; and to fuel interdisciplinary research.  

Tune in to the livestream of the presidential installation on Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025 at 2:30 p.m.