Opening Convocation kicks off fall semester 2019-2020

Opening Convocation kicks off fall semester 2019-2020

By ROBERT BIRD Staff Writer

This past Tuesday, Georgetown College hosted its 2019 Opening Convocation, which officially kicked off the 2019-20 school year. Opening Convocationwas held in the John Hill Chapel, and was very well attended by students, faculty, staff and alumni. This Convocation in particular was an extra special day, as newly hired President William A. Jones was given the very prestigious honor of giving the Convocation Address.

To kick off this special day, Professor Andrea Ratliff, lecturer of mathematics, gave an invocation prayer, which was followed by the singing of the hymn “Great is Thy Faithfulness.” The hymn was led under the direction of new Choral Director and Visiting Professor Christopher Powell. After the conclusion of the hymn, President Jones welcomed everyone to this momentous occasion, and reminded of the championship level excellence that comes as a result of being a Georgetown College Tiger.

Following President Jones’ opening remarks, Dr. Curtis Sandberg, Vice President of Student Life and Dean of Students, introduced the 2019- 20 SGA President, Mr. Zach Dampier. Zach is a junior Mar- keting major, and is heavily involved on campus. He is a member of the football team and the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity, just to name a few his many involvements.

Dr. Rosemary Allen presents Dr. Roger Ward with the Manning Award.

GEORGETOWN COLLEGE

In his opening address, Zach set some of his goals for this school year as SGA President, including getting everyone on campus involved in SGA activities, and trying to be a voice for every student on campus. In concluding his opening remarks, Zach then introduced the other members of SGA and they were given an extremely warm welcome by those in attendance.

One of the biggest highlights of each year’s Opening Convocationis Dr. Rosemary Allen’s introduction of new faculty members and her presentation of the John Walker Manning Distinguished Mentor and Teacher Award. There were several new faculty members recognized by Dr. Allen, including the previously mentioned Christopher Powell, Director of Choral Activities, and Madame Lodz Pierre-Juanso, professor of French and General Studies.

After introducing the new faculty members, Dr. Allen recognized Dr. Roger Ward on his receiving of the Manning Award. In recognizing Dr. Ward, Dr. Allen mentioned his striving for excellence in his academic field, and his ability to build close relationships with his students that help them to succeed in and out of the classroom.

Dr. Allen also mentioned Dr. Ward’s involvement with the Christian Scholars Program, and how he, along with Dr. Sheila Klopfer, have undertaken many mission trips and retreats with those in CSP and helped these students strengthen their relationships with God and their fellow students.

After the presentation of the Manning Award, Dr. Allen then introduced President Jones as giving the Convocation Address.

In President Jones’ address, he re-emphasized the excellence of Georgetown College and its championship level education and experience. President Jones recognized several of our outstanding students who have achieved championship level success while at Georgetown.

Two of these individuals recognized by President Jones were students Isaac Mathis and Lauren Roy, two accounting majors who won the national championship in Forensic Accounting for Phi Beta Lambda over the summer.

The returning members of the 2019 men’s basketball National Championship team were also recognized, along with the baseball team for their accomplishments last season.

For many students, one of the highlights of his address was when he broke out into an impromptu serenade of the Lil Nas X and Billy Ray Cyrus hit song “Old Town Road.”

On a more serious note, President Jones also discussed in detail the many ways that students here at Georgetown are able to get involved on campus, and how we can each use our championship level talents to make Georgetown College the best place that it can be.

On attending Opening Convocation, sophomore Tyler Evans said, “It was quite an enjoyable experience getting to witness the kickoff of the new school year. President Jones’ address to the faculty and student body was particularly enlightening, and it challenged me to excel for a championship level mind and attitude while I am a student here at Georgetown.”