Nathan H. Ware

News Editor

On Thursday, Aug. 21, faculty, staff and students at The College of Wooster celebrated its 156th convocation in McGaw Chapel. Members of The College of Wooster Pipe Band introduced faculty, staff and the class of 2026 with processional bagpipes.

The first speaker was Chan Sok Park, associate professor and department chair of religious studies. Park gave the invocation, praying for staff and students, asking that “their gifts and dedication among us be met with gratitude and respect.”

President McCall delivered the main address of the ceremony. She spoke about affirming the College’s purpose of higher education, emphasizing the importance of diversity in the community. 

“After all, The College of Wooster, at its core, is a community of people who have little more in common than a desire to live and learn … at the same location,” McCall said. 

According to McCall, some students have concerns about the current political climate in the United States. Drawing on Jawaharlal Nehru’s 1947 independence speech for India, she encouraged students to “embrace the pursuit of knowledge in all things, even when it requires, especially when it requires mastering unfamiliar, multiple methods and techniques, confronting controversial ideas, questioning long-held assumptions.” She closed by promoting “Democracy and Academic Freedom: A Forum” — a series of events the College will host, bringing in speakers throughout the fall. 

Sarah Sobeck, dean for faculty development, acknowledged faculty by announcing those who returned from their semester sabbatical, professors who received their tenure and those who were promoted. Rebecca Garonzik, Christopher Kang, Daren Kendall, Colby Long, Sara Martin and Rebecca Williams were promoted to associate professor with tenure. Michele Leiby and Jeremy Rapport were promoted to full professor. 

Daren Kendall, associate professor of art and art history, spoke on behalf of the faculty. He quoted several artists about how education and creativity are similar to art, urging students to “learn to see how information takes form, finds rhythm, creates balance and cultivates a space to imagine.”

Grounds Manager Phil Olsen spoke on behalf of the staff, advising the campus community to respect and acknowledge their work and contributions. 

“These people behind the scenes make it possible for [students] to succeed,” Olsen said. 

Later in his speech, he spoke about his senior year being similar to the fourth quarter in football. As the football coach for Smithville High School, he relayed the message to the Wooster community that “pressure is a privilege,” urging seniors to use academic pressure as an opportunity to achieve their goals. Likening their academic pursuits to football, he challenged the class of 2026 to finish strong because “how [they] finish will be remembered far longer than how [they] started.”

Flynn Cowie ’26, Scot Council president, spoke after Olsen. His speech was about two sides of the world, one “where products are focused on capital, built for profit rather than for people,” and one “of intense diversity, depth, creativity and connection.” 

“We have been given a gift — the gift to speak out and to speak up … to participate in academic freedom and humility with a diverse array of peers and mentors,” Cowie said, urging students to share this gift with others. 

Edith-Michelle Aboa ’26, an international student from Ghana and an event coordinator for the African Student Union, gave a speech reassuring returning and new students of the uncertainties they may face. She wished she could’ve told her younger self, “You don’t need to have it all figured [out] in a day.” Aboa suggested that the class of 2026 “challenge [themselves] to become comfortable with the uncomfortable.”

McCall returned to the podium to officially convene the academic year, ending the ceremony.