F&M officially welcomes Class of 2014

Longstanding traditions are the mark of any fine institution and F&M exemplifies many of them.

One of those programs that may serve a greater purpose for the school community is its Convocation.

First-year students gathered on Hartman Green Tuesday to meet with their Houses and begin the walk toward the Convocation ceremony. Emotions were considerably diverse as students were both exhausted from the previous days of Orientation and excited for the college years ahead.

As the processional tune played its last couple notes and Susan Minasian, colege chaplain, said her final words of the invocation, the national anthem was sung and students thankfully took their seats.

Kent Trachte, dean of the College, then made several welcoming remarks to the class of 2014. When speaking to the first-year class he revealed the ceremony’s primary goals, which are to introduce them to life of the mind and to prepare them for a life in college.

Both short- and long-term benefits to being a student at F&M were summarily described in the words of John Burness, interim president of the College. He said the professors will open the doors for you, but students have to walk through those doors. The importance of thinking independently and reasonably was then expounded upon. However, one more serious matter fit into the conclusion of Burness’s speech. “You have another obligation,” he said. “Have fun!”

A discussion of modern-day controversies was brought to the crowd as Sean Flaherty, professor of economics, made sentiments over the meaning of an allegiance to the rule of reason. Disasters ranging from 9/11 to the Great Recession to the BP oil spill to the recent “mosque” dilemma in New York were given special focus in Flaherty’s speech as a means of showing how easy it is to stray from rational argument and thought.

Flaherty recapitulated his argument by requesting that first-year students loathe to indulge in the presence of falsehood.

Attention shifted to the College Houses as Burness inducted the leaders of each House Government. Loyalty toward the Houses was proven by the applause that could be heard numerous times over.

Just as the unusually hot weather began to catch up with the students, faculty, and guests, the program began to wrap up with a student-led rendition of the Alma Mater. 

After a brief benediction provided by Minasian, the recessional played on as the convocation ceremony drew to a close.

For more information, contact the President’s office.