It’s that time of year again when Longwood seniors, cappers, faculty and staff gather around Wheeler Mall to celebrate the seniors at Convocation. As everyone fanned themselves with their programs and filed into the neatly rowed chairs; folks were dressed up and ready to participate in this Longwood tradition.
On Thursday, Sept. 8 Wheeler Mall wasn’t as packed as it usually is for this occasion, (maybe because of the 100 degree heat index) but that didn’t stop most of the class of 2017 to receive the cap they've longed for the past three years. The cap that tells them they’re almost to the finish line. The cap that helps end their undergraduate careers, the cap that represents their achievements in academics as well as extracurricular activities and most importantly it’s a memento that represents their personalities and college experiences.
Matthew Swarm, the senior class vice president opened the ceremony with uplifting words that described some of his memories while being at Longwood.
President W. Taylor Reveley IV then welcomed everyone to the ceremony and introduced Robert Wertz Jr., who was the rector for this year’s convocation. Following his encouraging words speaker James Lehrer spoke.
Lehrer was the former anchor on the PBS News Hour and has moderated a dozen debates as a journalist. Lehrer’s speech was uplifting and memorable especially when he reminded the audience that this year will be the 15 anniversary since 9/11. He reminded us about how that day impacted every American citizen. He reminded us that, that day has affected every aspect in American politics, government, military, travel, even this year’s presidential election. Lehrer reminded the audience about the reactions of everyone around America on that dreadful day and how everyone wanted to “help.” However, he said, “this is our time to do something” in regards to voter participation for the Presidential election.
Lehrer concluded his speech with these inspiring words, “After the election, no matter who wins let’s all do our part as voters, individuals and citizens to help out this country within its discourse and within the functioning of the government to make this a truly changed time.”
After Lehrer’s words of wisdom, it was a time to recognize some of Longwood’s faculty members with seven awards.
These awards recognized these faculty members for their hard work, scholarship and dedication to Longwood and it’s students. The awards began with the Maria Bristow Starke Faculty Excellence Award, awarded to Dr. Leigh Lunsford. The Maude Glenn Raiford Award, which Dr. Timothy Holmstrom accepted. The Maude Glenn Raiford Junior Faculty Teaching Award, given to Dr. Brett Martz. The Provost’s Scholarship Award awarded to Dr. Sean Ruday. The William David Stuart Leadership and Service Award, awarded to Dr. Charles White. The Junior Faculty Award awarded to Dr. JoEllen Pederson. Lastly, the second annual Simpson Award was given to Dr. Steven Isaac in which he proudly accepted.
Then came the time that the seniors were waiting for, the capping ceremony. Senior Hallie Robinson stated in regards to this tradition, “I’m excited to end this milestone and I never thought I would actually be putting on a cap and gown. I’m also happy to share this memory with my best friend,” Victoria Hamilton, a graduate student at Longwood who proudly capped Robinson.
Hamilton described this year’s convocation as “An awesome (tradition) but it’s bittersweet because I’m leaving both my best friend and my beloved university in December.”
However, the capping ceremony didn’t just end with the seniors receiving their caps as Reveley presented a cap to Lehrer that was themed as a debate with a moderators desk and the colors of red, white and blue were decked out all over the cap. In which Lehrer proudly accepted with a grin upon his face capping off Lehrer’s first trip to Longwood.
As students eagerly waited to go take pictures of their decked out mortar boards, the ceremony concluded with inspiring words from senior class president Drew Pelkey that left the audience in a round of applause.
Jim Lehrer addresses the student body.
Student shows her cap to the crowd
Students sit on Wheeler Mall as their senior year commences with Convocation.
Sisters of similar sorority patiently wait to be capped.
President Reveley addresses students, staff and faculty.
