Spirited Beginning
Just as all journeys begin with a first step, the start of a new school year at the University of La Verne officially gets underway when the campus community gathers for Convocation.
Franz Athletic Court inside the Sports Science & Athletic Pavilion served as host site for the assemblage of students, faculty, staff, administrators, trustees and family members, all drawn together to mark the beginning of La Verne’s 124th academic year. The anticipation and excitement that accompanies the first week of a new semester flared with the tolling of the university’s spirit bell in Johnson Family Plaza, energizing the atmosphere within the pavilion as the new students processed into the gym, just ahead of the La Verne faculty and leadership dressed in full academic regalia.
Provost Jonathan Reed, who served as the program’s master of ceremonies, explained how convocation is a bookend to commencement, with both honoring students and featuring faculty.
“The focal point of convocation and the foundation of the La Verne Experience is the faculty/student relationship,” said Reed.
The keynote speakers used the opportunity to challenge the students to take an active role in their education. To look beyond and, in so doing, enhance their lives, their careers and their society.
Dr. Megan Grandquist, associate professor of kinesiology and the 2014 recipient of La Verne’s Excellence in Teaching Award for undergraduate studies, began with the figure 1,440 – the number of minutes in each day – as a singular point of reference.
“Accounting for our much-needed sleep, that still leaves us with nearly 1,000 waking minutes. So I ask you, how are you going to spend your 1,000 minutes today? How are you going to spend your 1,000 minutes tomorrow? And the next day?” she queried. “I challenge you to move. Move your body as effectively as you are able. Move your mind in learning and thought. And move in service to others.”
As the first in her family to attend college, Dr. Deborah Olson explained how “in 1977 I was sitting in your seat. I remember I had a lot of questions. And even if you are not a first-generation student, you probably have many questions as well.”
Olson, professor of management & leadership and the university’s graduate studies Excellence in Teaching Award winner for 2014, used the phrase Remember to take care of your future self as she offered her counsel. She touched on time management, stress, and relationships as being important factors requiring attention. And she spoke of an occasion when, as an undergraduate, one of her professors recommended that she think about a career in organizational psychology.
“We didn’t have an organizational psychologist in our department, and I had never heard of that,” said Olson. “He gave me ideas and information I had never thought of.”
“If each one of us makes choices today to be happy by how we manage our time, our stress and our relationships, together we will be even better,” she added. “Make your future self happy.”
In her community message, University President Dr. Devorah Lieberman opened by welcoming all and recognizing the five Trustees present as well as the parents and family members of first-year students attending the ceremony.
She then relayed the words of the late comedian, Robin Williams, who said no matter what people tell you, words and ideas can change the world.
“From convocation to commencement, words, values and ideas are interwoven throughout your La Verne experience,” said Lieberman. “As we begin this new academic year, I challenge each one of you to ask yourselves the following two questions: What do I personally want to receive from my community this academic year, and what do I want to contribute to my community – this campus, your university – this year?”
“This,” she added, “is the year for each of us to change the world and achieve more than we ever imagined.”
New La Verne students were then invited to stand and, led by ASULV President David Asbra, recited the new student honor pledge.
The singing of the alma mater and the ringing of the spirit bell served to close the official program, with all gathered invited to take the next step in this year’s academic journey: adjourn to nearby Sneaky Park to enjoy the annual All-Campus picnic.
