Convocation: Celebrating the Magic of Learning

“Convocation is truly the beginning of the academic year and it is our time as a community to celebrate the magical experience of teaching and learning.” – Dr. Carol A. Leary, President. 

The ages-old academic tradition of Convocation aimed to inspire first-year, transfer, and senior Bay Path students alike as it signified the start of the academic year.

“Class of 2020, you are now a part of the Bay Path circle, a community that is never-ending. Wherever you go from this place, you will always be a member of this community and you will have access to networks and relationships that extend well beyond this place and time. Class of 2017, I hope this is a comforting thought as you consider that for many of you—this is your last year on campus,” Melissa Morriss-Olson, Provost, said.

Morriss-Olson unpacked the event’s symbolism, beginning with the faculty and platform guests’ academic regalia, a tradition dating back to medieval European universities that required students to wear robes to class. She also introduced this year’s University theme: thrive.

President Leary encouraged students to live by our motto: “Carpe Diem. Seize every opportunity to learn in and out of the classroom,” adding, “What I am most looking forward to is what you will do—how you will use your education when you finally graduate from Bay Path.”

Leary then introduced Pat Pierce, Chair of the University’s Board of Trustees. Pierce has served as a member of the Board for over eight years, and during that time in many leadership positions, including Chair of the Investment Committee and Vice Chair of the Board.

Pierce shared a personal anecdote, harkening back to the start of her college career and the thrill of the start of the school year. She spoke of her mother crying when she dropped her off at orientation her first year, saying, “I realized later that she was crying because I was embarking on a journey that would change me, change my life, all for the better. First-year students, you’re just at the beginning of this marvelous journey and seniors, well, you’re on the final lap.” She wished them all enjoyment of the challenges ahead in the coming year. 

Guest speaker Melissa Tharau ’12 gave three pieces of advice for the students:

“Number one: just try it, and get comfortable being uncomfortable. Do not think too much into it or doubt yourself. Just try it. Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try.

Number two: look for people who can teach you and find people who you can teach in return. First-year and transfer students, in addition to the faculty and staff, look to your upperclasswomen. They understand what you are going through and the challenges you are facing. Seniors, this year is your opportunity to thrive by sharing what you have learned with the first-year and transfer students.

Number three: make your own model for thriving. What is your fullest potential? If thriving means to work towards your fullest potential, do just that in your own way.”

Tharau was a member of the Maroon Key Honor Society and the Education Club where she served as both the co-president and the president during her years at Bay Path. She was also elected by her peers to serve on the Executive Board for the Class of 2012 in her junior and senior years, and in both of those years received the Marcia H. Conrad Award for involvement in and dedication to the Education Club.  She is now a kindergarten teacher in Harwinton, CT, where she was nominated for a district-wide Teacher of the Year Award during her second year of teaching.

Convocation culminates in the “Donning of the Caps” ceremony, during which the Class of 2020 was formally inducted into the academic community.

“As you don your caps this morning for the first time, you join with college students and faculty in a tradition that is more than 800 years old and that signifies an important rite of passage… a passage into a community of which you are a member with responsibilities for developing yourself and your mind to the fullest extent possible,” Morriss-Olson said.

After the reading of the Senior Affirmation and First-Year Response, students were dismissed to attend another long-standing tradition: Campus Day.