Convocation

Ceremony, campus picnic follow the first day of classes

Convocation, literally a "calling together" of the College community, celebrates the formal opening of the academic year, welcomes new students to the College and recognizes the new senior class. The ceremony also highlights some of the College's most important values: academic excellence, the Honor Code and the importance of community.

Convocation 2009 took place from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. in Palmer Auditorium. Catherine McNicol Stock, professor of history and recipient of the 2009 John S. King Memorial Teaching Award, gave the keynote address, "The College Made New - and Old - Again."An all-campus picnic traditionally follows Convocation on Tempel Green, bringing together faculty, staff and students. This year, however, the all-campus picnic took place at the Athletic Center to celebrate the opening of the College's new fitness center.

Convocation reinforces new students' commitment to the Honor Code and provides an opportunity for other members of the College community to renew their pledge to live according to the principles embodied by the Code. All students are asked to repeat this pledge, which governs all behavior and interactions at the College.

The ceremony also includes the formal presentation of the entering class's banner. Each year, the Alumni Association bestows on the incoming class a banner bearing the students' expected graduation year. Each class banner is created in one of four color schemes: green and gray, blue and buff, purple and gold, and red and white. The colors follow in sequence so all four are always represented in the current student body. The banners are displayed at formal occasions during the students' four years and then later at reunion celebrations. The presentation of the banner symbolizes the shared community of alumni present and future.

Last Modified: Monday, November 16, 2009 15:26