GSU president gets official welcome

By Laura Diamond

For the AJC

Georgia State University held an investiture ceremony Monday to officially inaugurate Mark Becker as the institution's seventh president.

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Brant Sanderlin, bsanderlin@ajc.com Georgia State University president Mark Becker talks with delegates as they take part in the processional.

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Brant Sanderlin, bsanderlin@ajc.com Georgia State University president Mark Becker and his wife, Laura Voisinet, enter the ceremony under the swords of the GSU color guard.

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Brant Sanderlin, bsanderlin@ajc.com Dr. Mark Becker gets help from his wife, Laura Voisinet, and daughter, Julia Becker, with the President's Medallion during his investiture as the seventh president of Georgia State. The medallion symbolizes the eminence, authority and responsibilities of the university's highest office. The medallion is passed from president to president.

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As part of the event, a processional will took place down Piedmont Avenue. Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle, Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin and other officials were scheduled to attend.

Becker, who started work as president in January, was previously the executive vice president and provost at the University of South Carolina at Columbia. He replaced Carl Patton, who retired.

It is not unusual for colleges to hold inauguration ceremonies months after presidents start. Georgia Tech held an investiture to install G.P. "Bud" Peterson as president in September even though he took over the role in April.