Converse Celebrates 2024 Opening Convocation
Written by Sofiya Gobora ’25
On Friday, September 20, 2024, Converse University celebrated its 135th Opening Convocation in the grand Zimmerli Performance Center at Twichell Auditorium. This yearly tradition brings the Converse community together to mark the official start of the academic year. This year’s event was notable as the Class of 1973 was present for the ceremony. Class of 2025 graduates donned their graduation gowns for the first time, officially stepping into their senior year at Converse.
Although it had rained for the previous three days, Friday was a beautiful, warm and sunny day. Students, faculty, and staff filled the auditorium with positive energy and smiles.
The ceremony opened with a prayer given by University Chaplain Reverend Eliza Smith DeBevoise, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance, led by Grace Baum ’25.
Abeeha Sajid ’25 (Nisbet Honors), President of the Student Government Association for the 2024-2025 school year, welcomed the student body. Sajid reflected on watching her first opening convocation on a screen during the Student Success Seminar — a course all Converse first-years take in their first semester — while wearing sweatpants.
Today, she had come full circle, delivering a speech at her final convocation in her graduation gown. Sajid emphasized how quickly change happens and encouraged everyone to lean on the Converse community for support during their journey.
“This year, I want us to focus on being kind while giving grace to others,” Sajid said. “I also want you all to lean on your community when you need it most. Whether you are a new student stepping onto campus for the first time or a senior preparing for your next chapter, you are an integral part of the Converse story. Your experience as a Converse student is also an integral part of your life story.”
As President Boone Hopkins stepped up to the podium, he was greeted with roaring applause. He welcomed the Class of 1973 and thanked them for revitalizing the Andrews Hall Lobby. During the 2023 Reunion weekend, the Class of 1973 sought a way to give back and generously decided to support the lobby renovation of Andrews Hall, which many of the class members once called “home” while attending Converse.
Hopkins acknowledged that while there’s nothing better than a fresh start, like a new academic year, it can also be a nerve-wracking time—especially for newcomers. Some may find themselves entering a world where others don’t share the same values or way of thinking. However, he eased any concerns by highlighting the boundless opportunities yet to come.
President Hopkins said, “I’m proud to say that Converse is and forever will be, a place where bright minds come together and learn in community with others.”
Stating that this is a time when our nation faces many significant and often polarizing issues, he asked the guests, “How do we improve our ability to engage in civil discourse?”
“Converse is and forever will be, a place where bright minds come together and learn in community with others.”
President Boone J. Hopkins
Hopkins suggested three key strategies to help us stay engaged in difficult conversations and continue to build bridges. First, be willing to listen to one another. Second, stay informed about the world around you. Third, trust one another, as distrust can be the biggest threat to any community. He noted that Converse fosters trust within its community through the honor code and its pledge to live with integrity. He stated, “The next chapter is ours to build together.”
Presentation of the Dr. Jeffrey H. Barker Academic Excellence Award
President Hopkins awarded the Dr. Jeffrey H. Barker Academic Excellence Award to Dr. Richard Keen, Professor of Psychology and Chair of the Psychology Department. This award supports Converse faculty, who exemplify the teaching and learning relationship by broadening students’ horizons and by challenging themselves as educators, particularly through travel and experiential learning experiences.
Keen is an experimental psychologist specializing in animal learning and behavior at Converse University. Keen received the Kathryn Amelia Brown Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2007 and the O’Herron Award for Faculty Excellence in 2008. Keen has participated in funded student research every summer since he joined the Converse faculty.
The Dr. Jeffrey H. Barker Academic Excellence Award serves as a reminder of Barker’s passion for academics and his commitment to research at Converse University. For 20 years, Barker’s leadership helped bolster the academic excellence and organizational strength of Converse. The Dr. Jeffrey H. Barker Academic Excellence Fund was established in 2022 in his memory.
Academic Recognitions
This year, Associate Provost for Student Success Dr. William S. Case presented the Class of 2028 Academic Recognitions.
The Faith Courtney Burwell Voice Scholarship was established in August of 2006 by Caroline Ashley in memory of Faith Courtney Burwell, Class of 1923. This scholarship supports students majoring in voice and is based on merit and other need. This year’s recipient is Omarion Kirksey ’28.
The Simpson Scholarships were established by an anonymous donor to support female students who excel in academics, extracurricular activities, and community involvement. This year’s recipients are Annelisa Fitz ’28 (Nisbet Honors) and Genesis Medley ’28 (Nisbet Honors).
The Weisiger Outstanding Scholar-Athlete Scholarships were established in 2008 by Agnes Binder Weisiger ’63, and her husband, Edward Weisiger, to recognize exceptional athletes with a proven academic success record and exhibit strong leadership and community-building skills. This year’s winners are Davis Dial ’28 (Nisbet Honors) and Ava Masorti ’28.
Case also recognized two graduates from the Class of 2024, Sydney Wilson and Ethan Watkins, and had them join him on stage. They were awarded the 2024 Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award and the Mary Mildred Sullivan Award, respectively. Created in 1890 and presented at colleges across the U.S., this award recognizes students with noble character and hearts of humble servants who place service before self-interest.
2024 Opening Convocation Keynote Address
Case introduced Professor Meg Hanna-Tominaga as the 2024 Opening Convocation’s keynote speaker. Professor Hanna-Tominaga is the Associate Professor of Theatre and the Resident Scenic Designer in the Department of Theatre & Dance at Converse University. She is also the recipient of the 2024 Kathryn Amelia Brown Award for Excellence in Teaching.
As the crowd cheered in anticipation of her speech, Professor Tominaga suddenly bolted off the stage. She ran all the way to the back of the auditorium when, out of nowhere, “The Wonder of You” by Elvis Presley began playing over the speakers. Tominaga then removed her professor’s gown, revealing a Valkyrie purple suit, reminiscent of one Elvis himself might have worn.
As she walked down the auditorium aisle, Professor Tominaga opened a strategically placed briefcase to reveal a ventriloquist doll dressed identically to President Hopkins. Operated by Tominaga, the doll then began singing as well, and the two made their way down the aisle and onto Twichell Auditorium’s stage.
Professor Tominaga began her speech by reflecting on a time when she taught at a small conversational school in Kyoto, Japan. They held a welcoming party for her, but her Japanese was not yet fluent. She recounted how, in an effort to connect with her new colleagues by speaking Japanese, she accidentally used inappropriate terms. Her co-workers were stunned, as she unintentionally said things not suitable for a workplace, all due to her limited language skills at the time.
She then changed the topic and addressed the students, saying, “I bet each of you has at least one person in your life who is encouraging you in your college journey.” Professor Tominaga went on to explain how having someone believe in you can feel like a lot of pressure. “What if you bomb?” she asked the audience rhetorically.
Keeping the audience engaged with her humor throughout the speech, Professor Tominaga shared the fears she experienced when preparing for her talk that day. “What if this speech is a series of poor decisions? What if I end up writing the worst speech I could possibly write, and we’ve moved past the ‘what ifs.’ I wrote it! I’m saying it!”
But beneath the humor, there was a deeper message. She was connecting with the anxious students in the crowd, acknowledging their shared fears of failure.
“When you fail at something, recognize that it’s a step in your process.”
Professor Meg Tominaga
Professor Tominaga said, “Converse is a great place—maybe the best place—to practice the next part: the recovery. It’s our job to give you opportunities to learn. What you get out of these experiences is up to you. What and how you learn is your job, and when—not if—when you fail at something, recognize that it’s a step in your process. This is how you progress. This is how you build resilience.”
She tied this back to the theme of the Converse community. She emphasized that our community is an environment where it’s okay to take risks and make mistakes. The support system here will always rally behind you, helping you cultivate resilience, problem-solving skills, and a healthier relationship with setbacks.
Musical Performance
Proceeding the keynote address, Isaiah Caston ’25 and Aidan O’Donnell ’25 performed “In My Life” by John Lennon and Paul McCartney. Both sang, while Caston played guitar and O’Donnell played piano.
After a beautiful music performance, Keira Van Zyl ’25 (Nisbet Honors) came to the podium for the reaffirmation of the Converse Honor Pledge. Van Zyl is the Vice President of the Student Government Association.
Benediction and Recessional
To end the ceremony, everyone joined in unison to sing the alma mater performed by Adjunct Instructor Dr. Brennan Szafron on the organ. The benediction was led by Gurjot Bahia ’26, President of the Religious Life Council. Bahia quoted priest and poet John O’Donohue, “Awaken your spirit to adventure, hold nothing back, learn to find ease in risk. Soon, you’ll be home in a new rhythm.”
The processional and recessional were led by Dr. Janet R. LeFrancois, Associate Professor of Psychology, who serves as Grand Marshal. The Grand Marshal has the honor of carrying the Converse Mace. Grand Marshal is based on outstanding teaching, professional accomplishments, service to Converse, and seniority. Dr. Madelyn Young and Dr. Doug Jensen served as Faculty Marshals.
The Converse community proceeded to the front lawn outside of Wilson Hall to enjoy lunch in Johnson Plaza, officially wrapping up the annual tradition of our campus community’s Opening Convocation.