Written by Alyssa Wilson ~ Editor-in-Chief
Photo of Hopwood Hall during Convocation ceremony on August 23, 2023. Photo taken by Logan Cantin.
The Class of 2027, faculty members and University of Lynchburg community members gathered for Convocation last Wednesday prior to the start of a new school year.
Convocation is held the day before classes start to officially welcome first-year students to the University of Lynchburg.
At the start of every Convocation and Commencement ceremony flags are carried in, which represent the countries that students are from. This year the university welcomed 77 international students and added new flags to the tradition.
President Alison Morrison-Shetlar welcomed the Class of 2027 and audience members with a speech, and encouraged the first-year students to talk to her and use her Red Chair Chats and other opportunities, as moments to connect and share how they are feeling about their college experiences.
Assistant Professor of Criminology and 2023 recipient of the Shirley E. Rosser Award for Excellence in Teaching, Daniel Murphy was chosen to give the address.
Murphy recalled his college experience, encouraging students to “reach for the stars” and go after their dreams.
“Is reaching for the stars an impossible quest, or is it a realistic endeavor that you can ultimately accomplish through your efforts here at the University of Lynchburg,” questioned Murphy.
Faculty and students stood as Provost Allison Jablonski inducted the Class of 2027 saying, “I officially welcome you as students and fellow scholars at the University of Lynchburg.”
Student Government Association President, Marques Armstrong gave his first speech of the school year on behalf of the student body.
“Take a moment to look around you and look at the faces of your fellow students,” said Armstrong. “Each one of them has a unique story and background, dreams and aspirations.”
To conclude the ceremony faculty and students faced each other as Armstrong led the first-year students in saying the honor pledge, promising that they would not “lie, cheat, or steal in University affairs or in the environs of the University.”
