Badges of Belonging: Dickinson Begins New Tradition at 2025 Convocation
Students ascend the steps of Old West as part of Convocation. Photo by Dan Loh.
Class of 2029 first to receive alum-funded class pins
by MaryAlice Bitts-Jackson
Dickinson’s Convocation ceremony is rich with history and meaning—and it will be even more memorable this year. After walking up the steps of Old West and signing the college registry, members of the class of 2029 will be the first to receive class pins.
This new college tradition symbolizes the deep sense of belonging students find at Dickinson and the lifelong connections they’ll carry forward.
Maximizing the moment
Held at the start of each academic year, the Convocation ceremony warmly welcomes all new students to campus and connects them to the college’s proud history. Students officially become part of something greater than themselves—the campus community of students, faculty and staff.
The metal pins display the recipients’ class year and hearken to the unique experiences and special bonds the students will share with their Dickinson classmates. Thanks to the vision of the alum who made them possible, they also speak to the richness of their connections to other members of the campus community.
The class pins display the class year and an image of the Old West cupola and mermaid, an enduring symbol of the college. Photo illustration by Skylar Ellsworth.
The inspiration
The launch of this new tradition is made possible by Ted Martin ’87, who created lasting ties at Dickinson both inside and outside of the classroom. He dedicates his gift to Jane Harker and Beryl Kines, two late Dickinson employees who worked in the college’s Office of Student Services when he was a student.
Martin joined that office as a student worker the summer before his sophomore year, and he continued to work there until graduation. Harker and Kines helped him learn to succeed in a professional environment and also went above and beyond the typical mentor’s role.
Over summers, as the office prepared the campus for Orientation, the women provided Martin with home-cooked meals and introduced him to members of the community. They baked cakes for his birthdays and gave good advice. They laughed at his jokes. In short, they helped him not only learn but thrive.
“Jane and Beryl were committed to the very heart of Dickinson—its students. They treated me like family, and they were pivotal to my success as a student. And I know I’m not alone on that score,” says Martin, “They were also a lot of fun. I can still remember the sound of their laughter.”
The women also demonstrated to Martin how to work closely with people at the highest levels—college presidents and visiting dignitaries—without becoming overawed. This came in handy during his first postgraduation job on Capitol Hill and throughout his professional life.
Martin remained in touch with Harker and Kines over the years and also kept in touch with Harker’s son, Joe. After Harker’s passing this past April, Martin reached out to the college to brainstorm a way to honor both women that may also inspire current students.
“What I’ve come to understand is that Jane and Beryl were not only a part of my life, but they were also a part of the history of Dickinson,” Martin says. “They contributed to the character of the place, just as the thousands of students and faculty and staff who have moved through there have done and will do. And I wanted to pay tribute to that in some way.” The Convocation pin tradition was born.
A rich and full experience
Martin looks forward to attending the 2025 Convocation with his husband, Dwayne Heckert, and with Joe Harker. He hopes the new pin tradition will encourage students to remain open to the life-enriching possibilities before them.
That message affirms the aim of the Dickinson Four initiative, which helps students make the most of each of their four years on campus. During their first year at Dickinson, each student is called to “make Dickinson yours” by engaging actively with the campus community.
“What I hope is that the pins will remind students that at Dickinson, and through the rest of their lives, they’ll impact an astonishing number of people, and people will impact them—sometimes for an hour, a day or a lifetime. And when they look back on their experiences, they may find that a lot of people helped them in ways they didn’t quite realize at the time,” says Martin, who anticipates that other donors will step in and keep the pin tradition going. “If you can keep that in mind, it will enrich your life in so many ways.”
The Convocation ceremony will take place on the lawn in front of Old West on Sunday, Aug. 31, at 4 p.m. The entire Dickinson community is invited to join in the celebration.
TAKE THE NEXT STEPS
Published August 19, 2025