Gianna Hayes
News Editor
Thursday, Aug. 17, the College celebrated the 154th Convocation of the Academic Year in the Scot Center. Led by the boisterous College of Wooster Pipe Band, faculty and administration sported their alma maters and seniors processed in their graduation gowns to hear moving speeches from members of the faculty, staff and the class of 2024.
Rev. Erin Guzmán spoke first, initially acknowledging the land of the indigenous peoples on which the College is built. Quoting Irish poet John O’Donohue, she urged listeners to “travel in an awkward way…that [they] may not waste the invitations that wait along the way to transform [them].”
President Anne McCall then greeted attendees and shared remarks on the importance of Independent Study. Drawing on historical inspirations like Jane Addams and Wooster’s very own Dr. Horace Mateer, McCall spoke of how to be “dangerous” academically; this entails “accepting an inheritance that is a challenge…to continue a tradition of unflinching intellectual and artistic inquiry, a history of risk taking through the details sometimes painful processes of research, discovery, disagreement, debate, correction, revision [and] dissemination.”
Interim Dean for Faculty Development Christa Craven followed with faculty acknowledgements. In her remarks, she announced the promotion to tenure of Professor of Biology Dr. Nicholas Brandley, Professor of Chemistry Dr. Jennifer Faust, Professor of English Dr. Kate Beutner, as well as faculty promoted to professor, Dr. Shelley Judge of earth sciences and Dr. John Rudisill of philosophy.
Professor of Environmental Studies Matt Mariola offered advice, not only as a professor, but as a Wooster alumnus, encouraging students to “build relationships [and] cultivate community.” Keeping in line with the theme of community, Krista Martin, Assistant Director of Academic Advising, provided remarks on behalf of the staff. She shared hopes of fostering “a place of learning from all and for all.” Speaking specifically to staff, she “encourage[d] [them] to be mindful this year in [their] role in the education of…students,” as they “may never know the impact of [their] sincere care on a student’s life.”
Student leaders Jaylin Hudson ’24 and Carrie Buckwalter ’24 followed with their respective addresses to seniors and attendees. Hudson, a Posse Scholar and the first Black Scot Council president, encouraged students to “adapt, listen, be hard-working and have fun” during their Wooster career and in closing, urged students to “give yourself grace, smile and enjoy the moment you’re in right now with your best friends.” Buckwalter, president of Model United Nations, offered her sage assertions, saying “sometimes it is not what goes right but what goes wrong that shapes you the most.”
Once speakers concluded, President McCall officially convened the academic year, and the pipe band led students and staff in a recessional.
