NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — A Drury High School graduate will officially take the helm of the University of Indianapolis on Thursday.

Robert L. Manuel, 44, will be inaugurated as the ninth president of the 5,400-student university at a time when it is charting a course for the next two decades of its development.

Manuel, son of Thomas and Tondra Manuel of North Adams, is a 1986 graduate of Drury High School. He earned his bachelor's degree in history and political science from from Allegheny College in Meadville, Pa., his master's in higher education administration from Syracuse (N.Y.) University and doctorate in higher education administration from New York University.

He worked in administration at Georgetown University and NYU, most recently as dean of continuing studies and associate provost at Georgetown.

Manuel took office at UIndy last summer and, in October, launched the Vision 2030 initiative, which gathered ideas for the institution's future from more than 1,600 students, parents, alumni, faculty and staff. While a series of group conversations focused on long-term concerns, several task forces addressed more immediate needs in areas such as technology, campus life and use of space.

The president will address the campus community, guests and delegates from other universities during a public investiture ceremony that begins at 2 p.m. on Thursday, March 21, in the university's Nicoson Hall gymnasium. A reception will follow at 3:30 in the atrium of Schwitzer Student Center, 1400 E. Hanna Ave.

The investiture ceremony highlights a week of events designed to engage students, faculty, staff, alumni, neighbors and other friends of the university. A full schedule and registration information are available at www.uindy.edu/inauguration.