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New and returning students and faculty are settling in for the start of the 2018-19 academic year as classes begin today.

Numerous activities for new students to get acquainted with fellow classmates took place over the weekend, including the annual “G” photo shoot and Saturday’s Grit ‘n Wit competition. The College officially welcomed new students to campus during New Student Convocation Friday evening, which included a keynote address by Catherine Adams, associate professor of history, who used the poem, “To the University of Cambridge in New England,” by Phyllis Wheatley to encouraged new students to engage and take full advantage of the opportunities that their time at ���ϴ����� will offer:

“Please close your eyes and take a deep breath. In your mind’s eye picture a seed, any seed. In order to become what it is meant to be the seed must be planted in fertile soil, not too deep, not too shallow, with just the right amount of moisture and nutrients. As it sets its roots and sends up its sprout, the seed must be brave, because while reaching up for sunlight is perfectly natural and necessary, emerging into the world above ground has its risks. 

“You are the seeds, and this is your soil, so take risks, remember and heed Phillis Wheatley’s admonition, don’t waste your opportunity, Be Present, Be Awake, and — please open your eyes now — Be Woke.”

After their convocation, new students gathered on the College Green for the First Knight Celebration, highlighted by food, fun and games, culminating in a fireworks display.

���ϴ����� President Denise A. Battles delivered her keynote address “���ϴ����� 2021: Sustaining the Vision” at Opening Convocation for faculty and staff Friday afternoon. Battles recently completed her third year as president and reviewed the College’s latest accomplishments and addressed some of the challenges the College must meet.

“Our successes, which are many, varied, and often externally validated, attest to the fulfillment of our mission, adherence to our values, and — ultimately — the strength of our community,” Battles said. “We understand our challenges and opportunities, and through our strategic planning efforts, are well-positioned to address them.”

“In pursuing our vision to be recognized widely as demonstrating the power of a public liberal arts education, we seek nothing short of greatness,” she said in her closing remarks.

President Battles also recognized recent 2018 award recipients:

Art Hatton Award for Excellence in College Advancement
Molly Costello, director of annual giving
Wes Kennison, lecturer and fellow in International Programs
Susan Richardson, associate director of research and prospect management

Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Professional Service
Paul Dotterweich, head swimming/diving coach and aquatics director

Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Classified Service
Yvonne Mehlenbacher, secretary 1, Department of Biology

Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Faculty Service
Robert Doggett, professor and chair of the Department of English

Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching
Lisa Smith, lecturer of mathematics
Christina Geiger, lecturer of chemistry

Drs. Carol and Michael Harter Endowment for Faculty Mentoring Award
Jennifer Apple, associate professor of biology
Olympia Nicodemi, Distinguished Teaching Professor of Mathematics

Faculty Career Achievement Award
Gary Towsley, Distinguished Teaching Professor of Mathematics

Continuing appointments and promotions announced at the convocation included:

• Pamela Kurau, continuing appointment in the Department of Music
• Lytton Smith, continuing appointment with promotion to associate professor of English
• Karleen West, continuing appointment with promotion to associate professor of political science and international relations
• Christine Merrilees was promoted to associate professor of psychology
• The Department of Physics and Astronomy’s James McLean was promoted to professor
• David Robertson is a professor of geography
• Milne librarians Michelle Costello and Brandon West, who both received promotions to associate librarian