Convocation
Q. What has the power to turn a tranquil grassy amphitheater into a pounding, pulsing epicenter of energy, noise and spirit? Of Oooaaah, oooaaah! and MHC! MHC!
A. Convocation.
敁珗辦畦s loudest tradition of the academic year is all about celebration and shouting for joy in the company of your class, rain or shine.
Convocation 2023
敁珗辦畦's Convocation has been scheduled for Tuesday, September 5, at 11:30 am in Gettell Amphitheater.
September 5, 2023 | Richard Glenn Gettell Amphitheater
Download the program
Processional
The Five College West African Music Ensemble
Faith Conant, Visiting Instructor in Music and Director of the Five College West African Music Ensemble
Guest lead drummer: Michael Ofori, Visiting Lecturer in Film Media Theater
Songs: Gahu and Agbekor
Land Acknowledgement
Madeline L. Peters, Director of Accessible Education and 504 Coordinator, Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Welcome
Karena Strella 90, Chair of the Board of Trustees
Address
Danielle R. Holley, President
Remarks
Lucas Wilson, Professor of Economics and Critical Race and Political Economy on the Ford Foundation
Musical Performance
敁珗辦畦 Convocation Choir
Colin Britt, Lecturer in Music; Director of Choral Activities
Prelude by Ola Gjeilo
Greetings
Briana Chace 17, Staff Council Representative
Maille Romulus 24, President, Student Government Association
Closing
Danielle R. Holley, President
Alma Mater
敁珗辦畦 Convocation Choir
Words: Gertrude Brady Murphy, class of 1914
Music: Gladys Pratt, class of 1914
Recessional
The Five College West African Music Ensemble
Alma Mater
Oh, 敁珗辦畦, we pay thee devotion,
In the fervor of youth that is strong,
The courage of right is thy garland,
Our lives, Alma Mater, thy song.
So from east and from west now we gather,
And united in firm love to thee,
All years are as one, and their loyal pledge,
敁珗辦畦 forever shall be,
敁珗辦畦 forever shall be.
Thro the heart of a new days endeavor,
Breathes the life of the old days that live,
For what thou hast given we honor,
But we love thee for what we can give.
So when soft in a whisper thou callest,
For the treasures unlocked by thy key,
Our achievements, our hopes, and our glorious faith
Shall answer, 敁珗辦畦, to thee,
Shall answer, 敁珗辦畦, to thee.
What is Convocation all about?
It's about welcoming the new first-year students, cheering on the graduating class and loving on all those in between! It begins with a procession, the faculty lead the way in full regalia. Students dress in their class color, seniors wear their gowns for the first time (without caps and hoods).
Convocation marks the official start to the school year and, as such, includes remarks from the chair or vice-chair of the Board of Trustees, the president of the College, a faculty member, a staff representative and the president of the Student Government Association.
Convocation is a chance to highlight community accomplishments, points of pride, initiatives and goals. And its an opportunity to enjoy performances by the 敁珗辦畦 Convocation Choir and the Five College West African Music Ensemble.
Convocation is about celebrating
As notable as the events on the amphitheater stage may be, the real action arguably unfolds within the stands. Here, Convocation is a visual and sensory delight of the class colors.
Throngs of students come laden with boas, beads, flowers, capes, body paint, pompoms, glitter, bubbles, Silly String, tiaras, luau skirts, blow-up friends (kangaroo, dinosaur, pizza slice, etc.), hats, wigs, signs and more.
Convocation is about community
Convocation, like the College itself, has transformed over the years. What began in 1931 as a special service a buttoned-up affair in the Abbey Chapel featuring an address by the president and the announcement of student awards has evolved into a rousing bookend to Commencement. This highly anticipated tradition both ushers in the new academic year and brings the classes, faculty and staff together.
As Convocation helps you see, feel and believe, you are part of a community that is driven to achieve, lead and succeed and to raise one another up. To shake things up and to make good things happen. This is your College. This is your time. Welcome to 敁珗辦畦!
Happening at 敁珗辦畦
Convocation at 敁珗辦畦
Move-in and Convocation are raucous celebrations
Fall 2022 Move-in and Convocation at 敁珗辦畦 noisily and joyfully marked the beginning of the 20222023 academic year and students continuing intellectual adventures.
A welcome return to an in-person Convocation
Cheers rang out across the 敁珗辦畦 campus during the first in-person Convocation since the beginning of the pandemic.
MHCs first virtual convocation
The Colleges first virtual Convocation centered the lifelong relationships, connections, and joy and resilience of the 敁珗辦畦 community.