CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Austin Peay officially welcomed Dr. Michael Licari as the university’s 11th president on Friday with an official ceremony on campus.

The ceremony was held at Austin Peay’s Mabry Concert Hall and included a traditional procession of faculty and staff in full regalia. State and local leaders were also in attendance to welcome the new president.

APSU Board of Trustees named Licari as the university’s 11th president on Dec. 21, 2020. He arrived at Austin Peay on March 1.

APSU Presidnt Dr Michael Licari accepts a ceremonial medallion as part of his official installation at the the university, Nov. 5, 2021. (Casey Williams)
County Mayor Jim Durrett speaks at Dr. Michael Licari’s official installation as university president, Nov 5, 2021 (Casey Williams)
Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts speaks at Dr. Michael Licari’s official installation as university president, Nov 5, 2021 (Casey Williams)
Fort Campbell Garrison Commander Col. Andrew Jordan speaks at Dr. Michael Licari’s official installation as university president, Nov 5, 2021 (Casey Williams)
National Alumni Assoc. President Joe Shakeenab speaks at Dr. Michael Licari’s official installation as university president, Nov 5, 2021 (Casey Williams)
Staff Senate President Jerica Swiger speaks at Dr. Michael Licari’s official installation as university president, Nov 5, 2021 (Casey Williams)
Student Government Assoc. President Kito Aruh speaks at Dr. Michael Licari’s official installation as university president, Nov 5, 2021 (Casey Williams)
APSU faculty attended the installation of Dr Michael Licari as university president, Nov. 5, 2021. (Casey Williams)
Officials wear masks at the installation of President Michael Licari on Nov. 5, 2021, at Austin Peay State University. (Casey Williams)
Dr. Licari gives his first presidential address after being officially installed as university president, Nov. 5, 2021. (Casey Williams)
APSU Faculty Senate President, Professor Jane Semler speaks at Dr. Michael Licari’s official installation as university president, Nov 5, 2021 (Casey Williams)

Licari previously served as provost and vice president for Academic Affairs at Indiana State University in Terre Haute, Indiana, where he oversaw all of the school’s academic functions, including 34 academic departments housed in five colleges. He also was responsible for overseeing much of that University’s strategic plan and its $100 million general fund budget.

Licari earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science from the University of Minnesota and his Masters of Arts in political science and Ph.D. in political science with a focus on public administration from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Several speakers celebrated Licari at the event.

“Mike continued his education and filled about every role one could fill in a higher education university system, but the best was yet to come,” Montgomery County Mayor Jim Durrett said. “He couldn’t resist the urge of ‘the Peay.’”

Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts continued the accolades.

“Your success means that we are successful. As we look out at the horizon, we know that Austin Peay will celebrate 100 years of existence in 2027, and we look forward to celebrating that milestone with you.”

Correction: The Board of Trustees named Licari president on Dec. 21, 2020. The article has been updated.