Dr. James Paul Holloway, the 19th president of the University of Toledo, was inaugurated on Oct. 16, 2025 during a ceremony that started at 3 p.m. in Savage Arena.
The procession began with the entrance of distinguished individuals and student representatives in the Parade of Flags. Songs were performed by members of University Wind Ensemble, UToledo Chamber Singers and singer Sarah Porter. Opening remarks were given by members of the Board of Trustees, Student Government, the Alumni Association, Faculty Senate, as well as recorded speeches from Gov. Mike DeWine and Rep. Marcy Kaptur. There were also videos played on screen, made by multiple university departments welcoming the new president.
Holloway’s inauguration address contained particularly powerful messages for the future of the university, claiming that the day was more than his inauguration.
“Today is about the reaffirmation of a purpose, the renewal of a promise and the recognition of pride,” Holloway said.
Purpose is the university’s goal to support students. Promise is service to the Toledo area. Pride is the recognition of undeniable achievement. He delved into each with detail, citing history and statistics.
He acknowledged current challenges, but encouraged the audience with hopeful solutions.
“Yet we have weathered difficult times before. At such moments, we must look forward and take big steps. We have done so before, and we must do so now,” Holloway said.
He then went on to describe a plan of action and communication functioning by three “launch pads.” These focus areas would ensure students succeed post-graduation, increase research while boosting the economy and improve the health of the region.
Describing the first launch pad, Advantage Toledo, he pointed to the importance of experiential learning for students.
“The goal is to step beyond the traditional classroom and ensure our students have experiences that develop their wisdom while simultaneously introducing them to the habits and skills needed to succeed in the world beyond the academy,” he said.
Holloway mentioned this is already happening with UToledo’s clinical placements, co-ops and internships, and that students “would come here because of it.”
The second launch pad, Innovate Toledo, touched on new support for research.
“[It] will be founded on a one-time multi-million-dollar investment to support teams with both developmental funding and professional support to form effective interdisciplinary faculty teams, to ripen their initial ideas and results, to create partnerships and to move teams towards new external funding,” Holloway said.
While discussing the third launch pad, Holloway listed some statistics outlining the negative health conditions of people in the surrounding area.
“Healthy Toledo will bring renewed focus to our public health efforts, to our clinical treatments platform and to educating the healthcare workforce. Only UToledo can do all three,” he said.
Holloway talked about this being a community effort and a new UToledo Extension, a way to further relationships with outside partners.
“With the partnership and efforts of you all, we have the power to do all that I have described, and more,” Holloway said.
At the conclusion of his speech, guests were given small medallions upon exit to commemorate the event, and a neatly decorated reception with many food and drink options followed.
One guest that was in attendance was Chandni Asnani, a student from the International Student Union who was a student representative in the inaugural procession and carried the Panamanian flag. She thought Holloway’s speech was wonderful and liked that he talked about UToledo’s accomplishments.
“You can tell he’s a student-oriented person,” Asnani said.
Another guest at the inauguration was Graci Yost, a student delegating for Global Latin Student Union and carrying the Guatemalan flag.
“I liked what he said about not being the University of Toledo, but the University for Toledo,” Yost said.
During the reception, there was an atmosphere of community and spirits were high.
