Auburn University President Jay Gogue was formally installed as the school's 18th president yesterday. The ceremony on Cater Hall lawn was streamed live on the Web.

"President Gogue indicated he would 'hit the ground listening' when he arrived, and he has done that and more," said Paul Spina, President Pro Tem for the Auburn University Board of Trustees. "He has literally been all over the state and beyond, reaching out to the Auburn family far and wide. We look forward to his continued leadership and aggressive plans for our future."

Gogue began his tenure as president in July and has spent his first ten months meeting with AU colleges and departments as well as on the road meeting with AU alumni clubs and Alabama Cooperative Extension System county offices. His first priority has been seeking input into and developing a 10-year strategic plan for the university. Gogue has encouraged input from alumni, students, staff, faculty, trustees and city and state residents in developing a plan first draft that was presented to the Board of Trustees in February. A final draft is expected in June.

"We look to expand Auburn's academic strength and quality while upholding the traditions and spirit that have made Auburn a place people always think of as home.  Everywhere I've been, I find people feel a powerful connection to Auburn, and hold it as very special," Gogue said. "This first year back has been a wonderful homecoming for Susie and me, and we find that although much has changed, especially in terms of growth, the university still has that same strong sense of pride, place and warmth."

Gogue, a native of Waycross, Georgia, is a 1969 AU alumnus. He received his bachelor's and master's degrees in horticulture from AU and a doctorate in horticulture from Michigan State University in 1973. Gogue and his wife, Susie, met in the eighth grade as classmates in Waycross and were married during their undergraduate years at Auburn. Susie also earned her undergraduate and graduate degrees from AU. They are the parents of three children and have one grandchild.

Gogue came to Auburn from the University of Houston System, where he had served as chancellor and president since 2003. He was president of New Mexico State University from 2000 to 2003. Utah State University selected Gogue as provost in 1995.

He began his career in higher education administration in 1986 as associate director of the Office of University Research at Clemson University, where he also served as vice president for research and vice president/vice provost for agriculture and natural resources.

He worked for the National Park Service from 1973 to 1986, starting as a field research scientist and rising to the position of chief administrative scientist for several regions of the U.S. Park System.