#opening convocation

[jounalismghosthost-blog]

At Opening Convocation, Dianne Lynch Says that Failure is a Step to Success

Many encouraging things were said at Opening Convocation this year and many Freshmen were excited. Erin Bowe said that, “Dianne will make it better than high school pep assemblies.” While Zannyell White hoped that Convocation wouldn’t be a “lecture.” In this writer’s opinion, both of their hopes were fulfilled with an engaging speech by Dianne Lynch president of Stephens College and others speakers from the Stephens’ community.

We gathered at Lela Raney Wood Hall in the Kimball Ballroom at 11 a.m. on Sept. 1st to attend Convocation. We heard from select members of Stephens’ faculty, including: Dr. Susan Muller, Kirsty Buchanan, Dr. Jeff Phillips and several more. Many words of comfort were given during their speeches. Our Student Government Association President, Samantha Spears, eloquently ended her speech, saying, “May your coffee be strong and your naps be long.” Dr. Phillips, associate professor in the school of health sciences, asked the student body to be more curious and Lynch insisted that graduates of women’s colleges are more successful and gave various facts and percentages to enforce her point.

“Failing does not mean you’re a failure,” Lynch said. “All that matters is the person you choose to become.” For the intro to this academic year, the first for entering Freshmen, failure is on everyone’s minds to some degree, as it usually is. Tests will fail, assignments will be forgotten, and class attendance points might be missed, but as Lynch also said, “You are at the beginning of your greatest adventure. It’s called your life.”

Lynch, also asked us all to be “like Bobo Clowns,” getting back up when something knocks us down. Several of the speakers said similar things. Failure is a natural part of life and when it knocks you down, you really do need to pop right back up and try again. We would never be able to succeed if we didn’t fail first. “Bravery,” said Kirsty Buchanan, associate professor in the school of design, “can oftentimes be measured by taking the first step.” 

[vanillanesquik-blog]

The keynote speaker at my school’s opening convocation today made me cry tears of happiness. Her speech, titled “Life Lessons from a Clinical Psychologist,” placed the most emphasis on being kind to ourselves and focusing on why we do belong in this wonderful community instead of doubting ourselfes. It wasn’t until she thanked the students and her fellow faculty for believing in her, even during times she didn’t always believe in herself, that the message of her speech really hit home with me, and I couldn’t be happier with how the beautiful ceremony turned out. 

Now I know how Harry felt every time he said, “Hogwarts is my home.” 

[stephenscollege]

Today we gathered for Opening Convocation where we had the honor of having Dr. Portia Adams for our Keynote Address. Learn more about Dr. Adams and her recent award here. 

[converse-conversationalist]

Because here at Converse, our music professors rock! Source: Caitlin Swett

[hochglance-blog]

While Interlochen students are enjoying the opening covocation at Interloche Arts Academy, their new home during one year, I'm here, 5k miles away, watching the president make his speech  :((((

It's a sad, sad life

[howarduniversity-blog]

Good morning Bison! Don't forget that today Howard University will celebrate its 144th Opening Convocation at 11 a.m. in Cramton Auditorium. Classes have been suspended from 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. in conjunction with this occasion.  We look forward to seeing you there!

[prideandprejudiceandfireand-blog]

Opening Convocation

If I have to sit through another speech telling me that I'm destined for great things, I'm smart and that I can be anything that I want to be, I'm going to stab someone. In the face. Repeatedly.

We've sat through the exact same speeches since kindergarten. I'm pretty sure we get the point by now.

Let's start from the beginning. We met outside at 10. We waited an hour before they started herding us like cattle into the arena. I'm not exaggerating. We were literally herded into two single file lines and led into the arena with cops and upperclassmen making sure we didn't stray out of line. Really? We aren't capable of walking from one building to another?  Then we had to wait another hour before they even started the ceremony.

At said ceremony we got to listen to four people tell us the same thing. That we're smart, that we're going to do great things, and in four years we're going to be graduating. Thanks for clearing that up. I totally didn't know any of that already/

But my FAVORITE part had to be the awful jokes and the awful stories.

Like the story about the football player who was a credit short to graduate, so the dean told him that if he could answer a question correctly, he could graduate.  The question? "What is 9 times 9?" The kid got it right. [Side note, we never were told if he got to graduate or not. If he did, I'll be pissed.] The point of the story? Don't stereotype. Ooookkaaaaay.....

Or the speaker who said something along these lines.

"I was told to keep my speech short and not to go over 35 minutes, so I'm going to stand up here and talk for a solid 34."

Ha. Ha. Ha.

Or the guy that told the joke about the smartest guy in the world who jumped out of a plain with someone's backpack instead of a parachute. Because we've neve heard that one before.

I'm not even going to comment on the fight song. Or the t-shirts. Or the fact that I felt like I was a new animal at the zoo when we walked through the arena and everyone started cheering. Words cannot describe the

The entire process was a waste of time and completely unnecessary. The only reason people still do such ceremonies is because they've been declared 'tradition.' Heaven forbid we break tradition and try something new. Why is it necessary to have a ceremony or celebration for EVERY SINGLE 'EVENT' KNOWN TO MAN!?

High School Graduation? Not really an accomplishment, not necessary.

Opening of college? We're all aware that we're smart enough to be here. We don't need to be told that. We're not narcissists.

Having a baby? It's called biology and keeping the human race alive. Not exactly something that you have a lot of control over. It's not like you constructed the child from nothing bit by bit. Cells do it themselves.

And so on and so forth.

I thought I was supposed to be treated like an adult in college, especially in such an accredited university. This is what I get for assuming things.