Teresa A. Sullivan formally became the University of Virginia's eighth president and first woman to hold the post Friday.
"Dominating education is the key to national security and economic competitiveness," Sullivan told a crowd of thousands gathered on The Lawn at U.Va.
She has held the post since Aug. 1, succeeding John T. Casteen III, but the ceremony marked her formal ascension to the presidency after U.Va.'s rector, John O. "Dubby" Wynne, administered the oath.
In speeches, Sullivan, Gov. Bob McDonnell and University of Michigan President Mary Sue Coleman, the keynote speaker, all talked about the importance of higher education to the nation's future.
Sullivan argued that, just as technological jumps of the past allowed the American populace to shift manpower from agricultural efforts to manufacturing, more recent technological advances will allow the shift from manufacturing to new, innovative industries. It is those industries that universities must create, she said.
"Our revolution is a knowledge revolution, playing out in classrooms, laboratories and libraries around the world," Sullivan said.
Today's information revolution has parallels with the American Revolution, she said. "They are worth comparing because the stakes were so high then and they are so high now."
Thomas Jefferson founded the university to train new leaders for the republic. Now, U.Va. must also produce leaders in innovation, she said.
Sullivan said she's optimistic for the future and that she rejects the "canard" that research is incompatible with top-flight undergraduate education.
Coleman addressed the issue of public support for public universities.
"We need creativity, tenacity and integrity in the face of declining state funding and tenuous public support," she said.
She also gave a sideways compliment to Sullivan, a former subordinate.
"My only hesitation in praising your choice is that you deprived the University of Michigan of a much-admired and accomplished administrator," Coleman said.
McDonnell focused his talk on the importance of expanding the state's higher-education system and outlined steps he has taken to promote such efforts.
"I view … creating new opportunities in higher education as one of the top goals of our administration," he said.
Education remains the key to realizing the American dream, he said.
He also said he was looking forward to watching his twin sons, who attend U.Va., play soccer after the ceremony.
Sullivan was also addressed by representatives of the student body, faculty, staff, alumni and parents.
"We know that you will touch the lives of the thousands of students who study here and the thousands more to come," said Student Council President Dan Morrison.
About 500 people walked in the formal academic procession that took Sullivan to the stage, including about 100 student leaders.
One alumnus present was former Virginia and NFL football standout Tiki Barber.
Barber said he'd had a chance to meet Sullivan several months ago in connection with his service on the U.Va. Alumni Association's Board of Managers.
He was impressed with her breadth of knowledge about academic as well as extracurricular subjects, he said. "She acclimated very quickly."
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