Moez Limayem inaugurated as UNF's seventh president

The UNF Lazzara Performance Hall was filled with faculty, staff, students and associates as Dr. Moez Limayem was officially inaugurated as the university’s seventh president April 14.

In an inauguration ceremony that lasted nearly two hours, Dr. Limayem acknowledged he was humbled by the attendance and long list of speakers that included former colleagues from other universities along with civic leaders and multiple dignitaries. Dr. Limayem, who officially took over as president August 1, spoke to the packed crowd about his journey from his native Tunisia to multiple academic institutions which eventually led to his presidency at UNF. 

Dr. Limayem was the Lynn Pippenger Dean of the Muma College of Business at the University of South Florida prior to being selected as UNF president. Limayem himself entertained the audience with many of his hallmark anecdotes about his academic career and travels. As usual, Dr. Limayem infused his speech with his trademark humor and humility. 

“The best is yet to come,” Dr. Limayem concluded. 

The tradition and ritual of the rare inauguration of a president at UNF was not lost on Coggin College of Business Dean Richard Buttimer. Dr. Buttimer agreed UNF is in store for a new and optimistic era under Dr. Limayem’s administration. 

“The inauguration event was an enthusiastic reminder of the awesome responsibility we as faculty have as educators at UNF. But, poignantly, Dr. Limayem reminded us all that our work is ultimately about students and the connections and partnerships we have with community. It was a prime example of the Coggin College’s objectives of Connect, Innovate and Engage,” Dr. Buttimer said. 

Following the formal inauguration ceremony, Dr. Limayem and the audience in the Lazzara theater strolled to the grounds outside the John A. Delaney Student Union building. Former UNF President Delaney and one of his UNF presidential predecessors Adam Herbert were present at Dr. Limayem’s inauguration.