Convocation: the official beginning of senior year; the ceremony that is the highlight of the fall semester for many students. Longwood University's annual convocation ceremony took place on Thursday, Sept. 12 in Willett Gym. Along with a new location, there were a few other kinks to the ceremony. The sound system was one issue, as well as having enough space for all of the seniors being capped. Also, when the family and friends of the seniors looked to the other side of the gym, all they saw was a wave of white programs used as fans. The humidity of the day and of the sealed gym caused quite the hot and sticky environment.
As the seniors lined up outside, it was clear that sororities lined up together, so they would be seated together, and therefore capped together. The seniors traditionally line up outside and then file in with their cappers to enjoy the ceremony and festivities of convocation. As with Commencement, Convocation began with the processional of the faculty.
Dr. Gordon L. Ring led the Longwood Wind Symphony in the “Academic Precession” while the faculty marched into Willett. The processional was followed by the “call to order” conducted by Dr. James W. Jordan, chief faculty marshall. After Jordan sat, Senior Nicole Cressman sang the National Anthem, followed quickly by the posting of the colors by the Longwood ROTC color guard.
The reflection was given by Senior Class Vice President Kasey Haddock, in which she spoke to all those who were in attendance, saying, “To be without hope is to be without purpose.” She spoke with a hope for the future of the senior year for the entire class of 2014. President W. Taylor Reveley IV was next to speak, welcoming everyone to the ceremony.
He began by speaking about the long terms of office that many presidents have had before him, saying that perhaps his term would be that long as well. He then commended the faculty on their excellent commitment to academics and to Longwood.
Reveley then introduced members of the Board of Visitors, also commending them on the work they have done, mentioning that the members of the Board work without compensation, and that many of them are alumni of Longwood. From there, he went on to introduce Marianne Radcliff, the rector of the Board of Visitors.
Radcliff welcomed those in attendance and introduced Reveley, saying that our new president may seem quiet, but his laugh can fill up a whole room. She said that he expects the best of people and will often sneak off to the movies by himself. She closed her speech by saying that we are going to love him, and he is going to love us.
Reveley began his address by giving the Latin definition of "convocation": a ceremony where we're called to gather at the beginning of the year. He spoke about his past education, trials and tribulations then went on to say that many people think the future of universities is online.
Our president disagrees, emphasizing the importance of the college experiences, like Convocation, bonding with professors and studying abroad. He said “replacing college with online classes would be like replacing Thanksgiving with a 3000 calorie power bar.”
The presentation of faculty awards followed the president's address. There were six awards given to six different members of the faculty. The first being the Maria Bristow Starke Faculty Excellence Award, this was presented to a member of the Department of English and Modern Languages, Associate Professor Derek Taylor.
The second award was the Maude Glenn Raiford Award presented to Dr. Sharon M. Menegoni of the Health, Athletic Training, Recreation & Kinesiology. Next, the Maude Glenn Raiford Junior Faculty Teaching award to Dr. Sarah Porter of the Department of Chemistry and Physics.
Fourth, the Provost's Scholarship Award, presented to a member of the faculty who showed great scholarship, Dr. David Coles of the Department of History, Political Science and Philosophy received this award.
Next, came the William David Stuart Leadership and Service Award named for the late Dr. Bill Stuart presented to a member of the Communications Department.
Dr. Pam Tracy received not only this award but also a standing ovation from the faculty and several students as she stepped forward to accept the award from Reveley.
The final award, the Junior Faculty Award was presented to a member of the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science. After the awards concluded, the actual capping took place with a very definite change of energy. The cappers stood while seniors remained seated, and then the words “hereby recognized as seniors” were followed by an uproar of excitement, giggles and pictures.
It was up to Logan Miller, senior class president, to calm the crowds and give his response. He said that college was like learning a song for the first time during freshman year. Sophomore year the first verse presented itself, and then for junior year the “beat really drops.” He said, some of us love it and some of us begin to dance. How could we ever forget our very own blue man group at the colonnades, and professors doing the “dougie” in D-Hall? This is senior year; our song is still playing,” said Miller. He reminded us that our time is not up yet and that we have one more chance to do more as seniors. He closed with instructions to “dance your dance,” and an enthusiastic “GO LANCERS!”
Holly Mattison, class of 2014, sang a moving rendition of our Alma Mater. Dr. Ring led the wind symphony in the recessional song, “Pomp and Circumstance No. 4.” With that, the ceremony ended, the doors opened and seniors and friends alike ran to take pictures with their new caps.
Hallie Robinson, sophomore, observes the national anthem at this year's Convocation Ceremony. The anthem took place before the annual Capping Ceremony.
