Opening Convocation draws upon Wheaton's 173-year history

The rich history of Wheaton, and the ways in which the institution's past informs its present, served as the theme for the 173rd Opening Convocation ceremony held in Cole Memorial Chapel on Wednesday, Aug. 29.

President Ronald A. Crutcher opened the ceremony with a call for a moment of silence to commemorate the second anniversary of Hurricane Katrina's landfall in New Orleans.

''In some sense, each new school year brings with it the opportunity, and the necessity, to build anew,'' President Crutcher said, urging students to seize the opportunity before them to strengthen Wheaton's learning community. ''I hope you will accept the challenge to be a leader in improving this college.''

Dean of Students Sue Alexander delivered the keynote address, ''Ave Atque Vale'' (hail friend, farewell), calling students to understand and appreciate the college's history and the role they will play in writing the institution's next chapters. (Watch the keynote address online.)

''It is essential to know upon whose shoulders we stand,'' Dean Alexander said. ''Wheaton's history is rich with the legacy of our founders, alumnae/i, great teachers, and yes, even great administrators whose contributions inform our current values of community, integrity, diversity and service. We need to reconnect that history and keep it alive.''

She noted the contributions of myriad members of the Wheaton community from founders Judge Laban Wheaton and Eliza Baylies Chapin Wheaton to the college's fifth president Alice F. Emerson.

Student Government Association President Mike Zwolinski '08 and Provost Molly Easo Smith also addressed those gathered for the ceremony. Professor of English Sam Coale led the singing of the Wheaton Hymn and the Wheaton Anthem.