Thousands attend Cornell University's 14th presidential inauguration

ITHACA, N.Y. -- Thousands attended Cornell University's inauguration of its 14th president Friday.

Martha E. Pollack took to the stage, pledging her commitment to the students and faculty. She was former provost and executive vice president for academic affairs at the University of Michigan.

Pollack hinted at future academic initiatives and expansions, as well as plans for a new center for teaching innovation. In her address, she also stressed her focus on promoting diversity and free speech.

"I think that universities are second to none in impacting the world. We impact the world through our students, through the research and scholarship," said Pollack. "We impact the world through our medical care. We impact the world by the communities we go out into."

After the ceremony, the crowd enjoyed a tasty tradition, ice cream created in the President's honor. This year was "Martha's Bits & Bytes," playing up her technology background.