Convocation Officially Kicks Off the 2021-22 Academic Year
Convocation 2021 Video Image
Students encouraged to get out of their comfort zones and change the world
video by Joe O'Neill
The newest members of the Dickinson community made it official by signing into the college during Convocation on Sunday, Aug. 29. The ceremony included words of welcome from Vice President for Enrollment Management & Dean of Admissions Catherine McDonald Davenport ’87 and interim President John E. Jones III '77, P'11.
“Dickinson and the experiences that you're about to have here will never leave you, so savor these times,” Jones said. “Challenge yourselves, get out of your comfort zones, take advantage of our world-class faculty, develop new and meaningful relationships, and, above all, take advantage of all that a truly spectacular liberal-arts curriculum has to offer. Hard as it is to believe today, the next four years will pass like the snap of your fingers. I am counting on you—all of you—to go out and change the world for the better, and I am very confident that you will.”
Honors and Awards
In addition to celebrating new students, Convocation serves as an opportunity to recognize other members of the community for their efforts and service. A few of the awards presented include:
- 2020 Ganoe Award for Inspirational Teaching: Helen Takacs, associate professor of international business & management
- Senior and Junior Sophister (highest ranking students in those classes): Andrew Howe '23 (biochemistry & molecular biology); Anthony Vo '22 (mathematics, computer science)
- George Shuman Jr. and Mary Louise D’Olier Shuman Prizes (for superior academic achievement and outstanding contributions to the community): Prerana Patil '24 (chemistry, environmental science); Chakra Sokhomsan '24 (dance, sociology)
- Howard Lane Rubendall Senior Scholarship (for distinguished leadership and service): Elly Do '22 (mathematics, computer science)
The newest members of Phi Beta Kappa also were recognized.
A Hallowed Tradition
The Convocation ceremony marks the end of Orientation, during which first-year students attend First-Year Seminar classes, explore campus and community resources, engage in discussions surrounding ethics and inclusivity, and get to know one another.
The process of walking up Old West's stone steps to join the Dickinson community marks one half of a hallowed tradition at the college. The doors of Old West are only opened twice per year, once when the first-year class joins the college during Convocation, and then again when the graduating class walks down the stone steps to become alumni. This year members of the class of 2024 who were not able to do sign in last year due to COVID-19 also participated in the sign-in ceremony.
TAKE THE NEXT STEP
Published August 27, 2021