Photo by the author.

The Associated Student Government exec board painted the Rock Tuesday night to welcome Morton O. Schapiro to the office of president of the university. “We painted it as part of his inauguration gift being given to him on behalf of the student body,” ASG Director of Publications Claire Lew said in an e-mail.

Schapiro will be officially inaugurated during a ceremony at 3 p.m. Friday on Deering Meadow. A “LiveWired Conversation” with President Schapiro this evening will begin a four-day celebration of NU’s 16th president that includes a symposium featuring Hot, Flat, and Crowded author Thomas Friedman, a John Legend concert at Welsh-Ryan Arena, and special halftime event during Saturday’s home football game.