Franklin & MarshallHeader Logo

Convocation 2024

Home / Calendar & Events / Convocation / Convocation 2024

In Honor of the Class of 2028 & Transfer Students

Friday, August 23, 2024 | 3:30 p.m.

ORDER of EVENTS 


Procession*
 Convocation Brass
Brian Norcross, Ph.D. | Senior Director of Instrumental Music and Conducting Studies, Teaching Professor | Conductor

Acknowledgement
David Brennan, Ph.D. | College Marshal

Invocation
 Joseph E. Pritchett, Ph.D. | Director of Faith and Meaning  

Presentation of the Class of 2028
M. Leslie Davidson, M.S. | Vice President for Enrollment Management

Acceptance of the Class of 2028
 Mary Osirim, Ph.D. | Interim Provost and Dean of Faculty 

Convocation Address
Scott Smith, Ph.D. | Professor of Anthropology
2023 Christian R. and Mary F. Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching Recipient

Student Affairs Welcome and Recognition of the F&M College Houses
Drew Stelljes, Ph.D. | Vice President of Student Affairs
 
Student Welcome
Michael Vasquez ’25 | Student Body and Diplomatic Congress President
Joint Major: American Studies and Sociology
 
President’s Remarks
Barbara K. Altmann, Ph.D. | President of the College and Professor of French

The Alma Mater*
Eve Sheaffer, '25 | soprano
Joint Major: Psychology and Spanish
 
Mckenzie Golden '25 | conductor
Major: Astrophysics
 
*Audience if able, is invited to stand

View live captioning and translation services
 
 

College Houses

The 2024-2025 academic year marks the 20th year of the College House residential model and the full engagement of the student-run House governments and faculty-initiated programs and activities. The Houses provide facilities and support for faculty to create programs and events that enrich their students’ intellectual experiences and bring students and faculty together outside of formal classroom activities. House governments provide training in leadership and management rarely available to undergraduates. Students manage their own social programming budgets and are fully responsible for planning, organizing and funding a wide range of social activities within the Houses. Today, at Convocation, students will sit with members of their College Houses to emphasize the important role these residential communities play in their educational experiences.

In Order of Recognition

House Crests

Roschel College House

  • Jorge Mena-Ali | Assistant Dean of Faculty Diversity Initiatives and House Don for Roschel College
  • Courtnee N. Jordan-Cox | Assistant Dean of Student Affairs and Roschel College House Dean

Brooks College House

  • Alexis Q. Castor | Shirley Watkins Steinman Professor of Classics, Department Chair of Classics, Brooks College House Don
  • Jaclyn Klinger | Assistant Dean of Student Affairs and Brooks College House Dean

Weis College House

  • Dorothy J. Merritts | Harry W. & Mary B. Huffnagle Professor of Geosciences, Weis College House Don
  • Jennifer Nell | Assistant Dean of Student Affairs and Weis College House Dean

Ware College House

  • Ashley Rondini | Assistant Professor of Sociology, Ware College House Don
  • Shuai Shao | Assistant Dean of Student Affairs and Ware College House Dean

Bonchek College House

  • Christine P. Piro | Associate Professor of Chemistry, Bonchek College House Don
  • Beth Proffitt | Assistant Dean of Student Affairs and Bonchek College House Dean

Convocation Marshals

College Marshal
David M. Brennan, Ph.D. | Department of Economics

Faculty Marshals
Carlota Batres, Ph.D. | Department of Psychology

Student Marshals
Marco Di Giulio Ph.D. | Department of Italian Studies & Hebrew 

Ken Krebs, Ph.D. | Department of Physics

Scott C. Smith, Ph.D. | Department of Anthropology

Ceremony Marshals
Daniel R. Ardia | Associate Dean of the Faculty and Charles A. Dana Professor of Biology

Jessica S. Haile, M.S. | Assistant Dean for International Student Services

Colette Shaw, M.S. | Dean of Student

Jon Stone | Associate Dean of the Faculty, Professor of Russian

Traditions & Symbols

Alumni Association Convocation Window

The stained glass window was commissioned by the Alumni Association in 1998 and illustrates Franklin & Marshall’s commitment to enlightened intellectual inquiry. The window depicts our namesakes, Benjamin Franklin and John Marshall, and our motto, Lux et Lex. Lux is the Latin word for light and symbolizes the search for knowledge and truth. Lex means law and represents the establishment of a permanent, rational order of society. It is our hope Convocation Window will be a constant reminder of each student’s responsibility to seek knowledge from each member of our community and to use it to create a better community and a better world. 

The College Mace

The maple and poplar College Mace was designed by Professor Edmund Whiting, chair of the Department of Art at Franklin & Marshall College, in 1967–68 and created by J.E. Brubaker Pattern Works, formerly of Landisville, Pa. The mace is a replica of the four-spired tower of Old Main, one of the oldest buildings on campus. Inside the mace is a piece of an oak beam taken from the North Queen Street building where Franklin College established its quarters in 1788, less than a year after its founding. Since it was presented to the College by the Alumni Association at Franklin & Marshall’s 189th Commencement on Sunday, June 11, 1967, the mace has become an official emblem of the College at ceremonial events.

Music

Prelude

“The Grand Oak,” premiere

Brian Norcross


Processional

“Bugler’s Dream”

Leo Arnaud


“Beyond the Horizon,” premiere

Brian Norcross


Recessional

“Marching to Nevonia,”* premiere

Brian Norcross

* Nevonia was a nickname for F&M when the college president was John Williamson Nevin.


Convocation Brass

Trumpet

Chris Campbell*

PC King 

Keith Wiley  

Andrew Wise ’27


Horn

Jill Graybill

Anne Nye*


Trombone

Megan Bell ’25

Jerry Heilner

Clay Sattazahn*


Tuba

Michael S. Milnarik


The performers are listed in alphabetical order to emphasize the important contributions of each musician. In this way they are all principal players.

* Indicates section leader

Alma Mater

Alma Mater Lyrics