WASHINGTON, DC.- David J. Skorton was installed as the 13th Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution during a ceremony held today Monday, Oct. 19, at the Smithsonian’s Arts and Industries Building on the National Mall.

The Hon. John G. Roberts, Jr., Chief Justice of the United States and Chancellor of the Smithsonian, presided over the ceremony and presented Skorton with a ceremonial brass key that once opened one of the massive oak doors of the Smithsonian Castle.

In his remarks, Skorton stressed the important role the Smithsonian must play in the world. “We face national and global challenges that cry out for the arts, social sciences and humanities to act side-by-side with the life sciences and physical sciences….Our country, and others around the world, look to us for insight and inspiration….We are so fortunate to be the custodians of the greatest treasures of the greatest nation on Earth. Let’s find more and better ways to share them, to understand their significance, to inform, to inspire, to make this world better—a lot better.”

Skorton, the former president of Cornell University, began at the Smithsonian July 1. As Secretary, Skorton oversees 19 museums and galleries, 20 libraries, the National Zoo and numerous research centers, including the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute and the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center. He is responsible for an annual budget of $1.3 billion, 6,300 employees and 5,400 volunteers.

The ceremony began with a presentation of the Colors by the Smithsonian Color Guard and the singing of the National Anthem. Welcoming remarks were made by John W. McCarter, Jr., Chair of the Smithsonian’s Board of Regents.

An academic procession of scholars followed, highlighting the Smithsonian’s rich and diverse scholarship, expertise and excellence. A member of the Smithsonian Honor Guard led the procession carrying the Institution’s ceremonial mace. It was a representative version of the centuries-old tradition that universities conduct, featuring scholars wearing robes and hoods symbolizing their fields of study and level of academic achievement. Today’s procession of 50 Smithsonian scholars, curators and experts represented their more than 6,000 colleagues and symbolized the Smithsonian’s breadth of expertise across dozens of disciplines and its commitment to founder James Smithson’s mandate “for the increase and diffusion of knowledge.”

At the conclusion of the procession, E. Carmen Ramos, curator of Latino art at the Smithsonian American Art Museum, welcomed the Secretary on behalf of the Smithsonian’s staff and volunteers. Next came remarks from former Smithsonian Secretary Wayne Clough, who retired from the position in December 2014.

Composer and jazz musician Wynton Marsalis then took the stage, joined by the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra, to perform a musical interlude on the trumpet. Marsalis played a Selmer trumpet, which was originally owned and played by Louis Armstrong, one of the world’s most influential and innovative jazz musicians. This one-of-a-kind trumpet was crafted by Henri Selmer specifically for Louis Armstrong in Paris after World War II, during the French recovery period. The Smithsonian acquired the trumpet in 2008; Marsalis is the first to play it since it became part of the Smithsonian’s collection. This iconic instrument, which is inscribed with Armstrong’s name, will be prominently displayed in the permanent collection of the National Museum of African American History and Culture when the museum opens in the fall of 2016.

After delivering brief remarks, Chief Justice Roberts presented Secretary Skorton with the Ceremonial Key, a symbol of the Office of the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. Skorton’s Installation speech followed the presentation.

Skorton addressed his remarks directly to Smithsonian staff, saying, “Your work has a profound impact on visitors, scholars, educators and learners of all ages throughout the world….I am privileged to work with all of you—and each of you—to tell the story of America, here and beyond….I am honored and humbled to serve as your 13th Secretary.”