Caltech to Inaugurate New President Ray Jayawardhana
The institution will host a formal ceremony on Beckman Mall on October 29 to mark the start of its 10th presidency.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Space
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Caltech will hold an official inauguration ceremony for its 10th president, Ray Jayawardhana, on Oct. 29 on the school's Beckman Mall. Jayawardhana officially took office earlier this year on July 1.
Why it matters
The ceremony marks a formal leadership transition for the Pasadena-based institution that manages NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Jayawardhana arrives from Johns Hopkins University to succeed Thomas F. Rosenbaum, who held the presidency since 2014.
The presidency is the 10th in Caltech's history, spanning a tenure that includes oversight of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Jayawardhana's connection to space science is noted by the designation of asteroid 4668 Rayjay.
The players
Ray Jayawardhana
The 10th president of Caltech and former provost at Johns Hopkins University.
Thomas F. Rosenbaum
The preceding president of Caltech who served in the office from 2014 to 2024.
Caltech
A Pasadena-based research university that manages the Jet Propulsion Laboratory for NASA.
The details
The inauguration event features a formal address and welcoming remarks from various institutional representatives. The ceremony includes musical performances from the Caltech Glee Club, accompanied by brass, percussion, and organ instruments. Following the proceedings at Beckman Mall, the university will host a community luncheon and campus celebration.
Timeline
Oct. 29: Inauguration ceremony on Beckman Mall from 10 a.m. to noon.
Nov. 3: Exhibition titled Dare Mighty Things officially opens.
The Tech Race
The transition follows the decade-long tenure of Thomas F. Rosenbaum, who guided the institution through significant advancements in space exploration and research. The leadership change comes as Caltech continues its management of critical NASA missions at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
Members of the local Pasadena community are invited to participate in the campus luncheon and celebration following the morning ceremony. Detailed schedules and event registration are available for those planning to attend in person.
The takeaway
Ray Jayawardhana begins his term as the 10th president of Caltech during a period of ongoing research in space science. Interested parties can monitor the university's official site for future public academic milestones.
What happens next
The university will open its new exhibition, Dare Mighty Things, on Nov. 3.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest research and missions within the Space section.
More information
View full event details and register at the inauguration event information and registration.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Pasadena Now.
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