This morning was the first of many hard mornings to come this year - I'm a senior and people keep reminding me of it. I went to convocation this morning and covered it for the Pendulum...and I definitely cried several times. There's nothing like a Leo Lambert speech to bring on my waterworks. Everything about the morning, down to the overcast sky, was bittersweet for me.
Here's my story (photo courtesy of the lovely Lindsay Fendt):
As the triumphal procession music began, the cloth backdrop of the podium in front of West dormitory was parted. From there emerged George Troxler with the Elon mace. Following him were the robed and rainbow regalia-clad faculty members. Under the Oaks sat the members of the class of 2013, transfer students, family and guests. Thus was the scene of New Student Convocation the cloudy and cool morning of Aug. 29.
Troxler, rather than having to organize this year's convocation – as was his usual job – was bestowed with the honor of bearing the mace. Troxler passed his torch as dean of cultural and special programs when he retired last spring.
In another new position was Phil Smith, who gave his first invocation as associate chaplain and director of religious life, a task usually set to Chaplain Emeritus Richard McBride.
The ceremony begins with a minister, Smith said, because when Elon's founders stood beneath the grove of oaks where the class of 2013 now sits, they envisioned an institution where mind, body and spirit would be enhanced and transformed. The spiritual dimension of life is celebrated and honored at Elon, as is the quest for finding a purpose and meaning in life.
To the "God of new beginnings," Smith led a prayer for the students to discover and develop their true selves during their time at Elon, and for the parents and loved ones to "find a deep sense of comfort."
"May the years ahead be filled with the joy of discovery for each and every one of us," Smith said.
Justin Peterson, Student Government Association president, welcomed the class and took a quick photo of everyone from his podium view. He told the students to create a mindset to "enjoy your time because it goes faster than I can explain."
Peterson had student athletes raise their hands and pointed out that one of them would score a winning point. The scholarship recipients were asked to raise their hands. And then the students who thought they might not make it into Elon received the same request. To that group, Peterson said one of them may become the next student body president, because he belongs to that group.
"You are now a voice on campus," Peterson said. "And as the freshman class, you are usually the loudest."
Vice President and Dean of Student Life Smith Jackson presented the class of 2013 to Steven House, provost and vice president for academic affairs. The students come from 39 states, the District of Columbia and 28 countries.
"This class will enrich Elon University," Jackson said.
House welcomed the dynamic new class and introduced them to the 340 faculty members sitting with them Under the Oaks.
"The Elon faculty are truly remarkable and devoted teachers, mentors and scholars," House said. "They will stretch you and challenge you more than you can even imagine."
In what President Leo Lambert called "one of the most meaningful occasions of the academic year," he announced it would be "the first of many goodbyes parents will say to their college-age children."
"In a parent's mind, remembrances both big and small come into clear focus on mornings like this one," Lambert said. "I can identify with the tear in mom's eye and the lump in dad's throat. ...I know how proud they are and what a privilege it's been to help you reach this day."
Compared with the billions of people on Earth who live in poverty, suffer from HIV/AIDS and are illiterate, Elon students are among the most privileged people on the face of the Earth, Lambert pointed out. And as such, students must ask themselves, "What am I going to do with the gift of an Elon education?"
In the middle of one Elon tradition, Lambert announced another that the class would now witness.
"You're going to hear a train go by," he said, "and I'm going to grab a drink of water. Justin, you want to grab some more photos?"
The moment of hilarity was a jolt and break in the tenderness of his message that members of the Elon community are caring above all else.
"You will be changed in ways you can now not imagine," he said.
Donna Van Bodegraven, associate professor of foreign languages, explained Elon's four pillars of honesty, integrity, responsibility and respect, and Chuck Griffith, father of 2010 graduate, Katie Griffith, reflected on his time as an Elon parent. Everyone he has come in contact with simply loves Elon University, he said. And it's an institution where everyone has the ability to make a difference.
In his traditional message to the new class, Lambert said, "You will leave Elon some day, but Elon will never leave you."
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