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SHERMAN, TEXAS—President Marjorie Hass welcomed freshmen and returning students to Austin College’s 163rd academic year at the traditional Opening Convocation at Wynne Chapel Monday evening (August 29).
The incoming freshmen first entered the chapel followed by the Class of 2012 in caps and gowns, marking the opening of the seniors’ final academic year and the countdown toward commencement in May. The College faculty in full academic regalia and the platform party, including Marjorie Hass, 15th president of the College, completed the procession. Hunt Tooley, professor of history, is the College marshal.
The traditional event included the official presentation by Registrar Tex Ruegg of the incoming freshman class. Mike Imhoff, vice president for Academic Affairs and dean of the faculty, spoke to students of the academic opportunities ahead. “The academic challenges you will face in your learning over the next four years should empower you with skills of critical thinking and stimulate an attitude of intellectual curiosity. Our faculty continually works at being better teachers and looks for ways to challenge you intellectually and stretch you,” he said. “However, ‘learning’ implies a mutual understanding between you and each of your professors—that you will meet them half way and earn their respect by working hard. The teaching/learning enterprise is based on a relationship of trust and commitment. Absolutely central to this is the practice of academic honesty.” All freshmen sign an Academic Integrity pledge and Class of 2015 forms were presented to President Hass by student body president Alex Clark, a senior from Sherman. Imhoff then declared the class officially matriculated and ready to begin classes.
Austin College Chaplain John Williams, Class of 1984, gave the call to order and Clay Norton, a senior from Austin, Texas, offered the invocation prayer. The A Cappella Choir, directed by Wayne Crannell, presented several choral numbers.
Austin College Class of 2006 alumna Melida Ailshire of Sherman presented the Class of 2015 banner to freshmen. Freshmen Jacob Gattuso from McKinney, Texas, and Spencer Nystrom of Mesquite, Texas, accepted the banner of behalf of the class. Jacob was the first student to pay the deposit to reserve space in the Class of 2015. Spencer has the largest family connection to Austin College, with at least 20 Austin College alumni in his family.
President Hass delivered the convocation address, “A Friend to Your Passions: Teaching and Learning at Austin College,” to the large group of students, faculty, staff, and friends assembled.
“We gather on this fine night in our beautiful chapel to re-form our community on the eve of this academic year,” President Hass told her audience. “I offer you a potent wish: that this year you learn to be a friend to your passions and to the passions of your classmates.”
“A friend to your passions loves your deep talents and looks to share opportunities with you to spark interest and engagement,” she continued, explaining that she read the phrase “a friend to your passions” in a book by George Leonard.” A friend to your passions pushes you to explore more deeply, to work more intensively, and to seek joy over mere contentment or comfort.”
She told the students that their professors, coaches, and the campus staff will meet them in this spirit. “Each of them will look to call forth your inner energy—the spark that presses you toward shaping the practices and passions that will define your life,” she said. “We are a community that encourages and supports this style of friendship.”
Following the convocation, members of the Class of 2012 gathered at the President’s home for a celebratory toast to the year ahead.
Austin College is a leading national independent liberal arts college located north of Dallas in Sherman, Texas. Founded in 1849, making it the oldest institution of higher education in Texas operating under original charter and name, the college is related by covenant to the Presbyterian Church (USA). Recognized nationally for academic excellence in the areas of international education, pre-professional training, and leadership studies, Austin College is one of 40 schools profiled in Loren Pope’s influential book Colleges That Change Lives.
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