Spring Convocation marks graduation of seniors | Outgoing Dean of the Faculty to deliver address

Mike Ilardi Staff Writer

In keeping with the long tradition of calling together the College community, Spring Convocation will mark the impending close of another year at Vassar. Faculty and members of the senior class will wear their academic dress at this final convocation for the Class of 2008.

Just as Fall Convocation is the official beginning of Vassar’s academic year, Spring Convocation is the official end. It is also the point at which each class rises, so that juniors officially become seniors, and seniors become alumnae/i.

Presiding over Convocation, the President typically gives a few brief welcoming words. According to Assistant to the President John Feroe, President Catharine Bond Hill will “wish the graduating class well as the end of their time at Vassar approaches, and welcome the rising seniors to their new status.”

Director of Campus Events Karen Minturn called Convocation a time for certain members of the faculty to “talk about issues in the world that concern the academic life.” This semester’s speaker will be Dean of the Faculty Ronald Sharp, whose speech is entitled “Sitting on a Bench.” Sharp is retiring from his position in July and will become a professor in the English Department after taking a year’s sabbatical.

Executive Director of Campus Activities Teresa Quinn said that members of the Daisy Chain and the African Violets will lead the processional and recessional at Spring Convocation. The Daisy Chain, one of Vassar’s oldest traditions, is a group of sophomores who assist the senior class throughout the year and lead the Convocation processional carrying a long chain of flowers. The African Violets, a group of freshmen and sophomores who work with the Council of Black Seniors, will lead the recessional. The Violets have been marching in end-of-the-year ceremonies since Spring 2006.

Another long tradition of Spring Convocation is the passing of the gavel from the current Vassar Student Association (VSA) President to the incoming President. When members of the Class of 2008 were freshmen, then-president Joe Wildfire even presented a pink headband with fuzzy pom-poms along with the gavel (the next president did not bequeath the pink headband to his successor).

This year, however, elections will not have occurred by the time of Convocation. Therefore, the new VSA president will not be announced, and the gavel will not be passed.

The last and most symbolic tradition of Convocation is the ringing of the bell on top of Main Building. Immediately following the close of the ceremony, members of the Class of 2009 will ring the bell to recognize the moment they become seniors. This transitional experience marks a turning point in the academic career of a Vassar student.

Spring Convocation is an opportunity for all members of the Vassar community to gather in a formal academic setting to celebrate the close of one year and the accomplishments of the rising senior class. Convocation will take place on Wednesday, April 30 at 3:30 p.m. in the Chapel. All students are encouraged to attend this momentous and symbolic College event.