President’s Convocation Starts Off Another Strong Year
On August 26th at 11:00 a.m., the majority of Centenary’s freshman class gathered in Mickle Hall for the annual procession preceding the President’s Convocation. This year, the pews of Brown Chapel were filled to the brim by students, faculty, sports teams, and community members who had all gathered to see the official start to another school year.
Every year, a procession of choir members, first year students, and faculty, make their way down the path leading into Brown to signify new beginnings for the Centenary campus. During the President’s Convocation, the choir typically sings several pieces, the chaplain gives an invocation and benediction, and the president of the college gives a speech unique to each new year. This year did not disappoint. Each door sported a Maroon Jacket, welcoming guests and directing them to their seats. The choir, sporting brand new robes, sang three pieces: the hymn “Praise to the Lord, Almighty” (UMC 139), “Oh for a Thousand Tongues to Sing,” and the Centenary Alma Mater. Both the Processional and Recessional were joined by music from Dr. Hollice Watson, the school’s organist. Additionally, Savanna Arevalo (’26), Chief Justice of the Honor Court, presented the book of signatures that each new student signs upon beginning their first year at Centenary, promising to uphold the Honor Code.
The main event of the President's Convocation every year is the address given by the school’s president, Dr. Christopher Holoman. Dr. Holoman has proved to be well spoken and prolific in his addresses, pulling from his leadership and teaching experience. This year, Dr. Holoman’s address focused on dreams and how one can pursue and achieve them. He claimed that “almost every great thing that has ever happened, has ever been accomplished, began with a dream, a vision, a whisper in someone’s heart that says, ‘What if?’” The speech points out the importance of dreams, the necessity in realizing them, and the power in making them a reality. Dr. Holoman ended his address with a challenge for the audience: “Dare to dream, especially when it’s hard, especially here and now in this liminal space, because that’s where the magic happens. Thank you.”
The ceremony ended with a benediction from Centenary’s new reverend, Maddie Russo, and the academic recession. Outside, Centenary’s Greek Organizations were waiting to greet the new students as they excited the chapel. The sororities and fraternities sung their chants and showed their inspirational pride as a way to encourage freshmen to sign up for recruitment and get involved with campus life. Overall, the event was successful, with a full house pouring out the doors of Brown Chapel and searching for a friend to go have lunch with at the Caf.
If you’re interested in seeing the live recording of the President’s Convocation, you can find it posted here on YouTube.