What is Academic Convocation?
By: Yachana Bhakat, GUide Core Orientation Leader, Class of 2016
Gonzaga University’s history is grounded in Ignatian pedagogy and Jesuit values. At the heart of Gonzaga academics, students are provided with an education that develops “the mind, body, and spirit.” Our education is one that, “cultivates in its students the capacities and dispositions for reflective and critical thought, lifelong learning, spiritual growth, ethical discernment, creativity, and innovation.” Academic Convocation marks the beginning of this education. It is tradition that first-year students attend Academic Convocation during New Student Orientation. It is the time when first-year students are welcomed into the academic community by the Academic Vice President and the faculty of Gonzaga University. New students will have the opportunity to listen to speakers impart advice on the importance of academic success and how to be academically successful at Gonzaga.
Academic Convocation will take place on Monday, August 31 in St. Aloysius Church on Gonzaga’s campus. First year students will be led into St. Aloysius by senior students carrying the banners of each school and college of the university. These senior students were intentionally nominated and selected by the Deans of each school and college and by Academic Vice President Killen on the basis of having demonstrated high academic achievement during their time at Gonzaga. After all of the first year students and faculty have taken their seats, Dean of Admissions Julie McCulloh will present the new students to Academic Vice President Patricia O’ Connell Killen and the faculty of Gonzaga. This signifies the transition of welcoming students into Gonzaga’s academic community. The students will also hear from Fr. Scott Coble, Dr. Peggy Sue Loroz, and senior speaker Matthew Pancoe.
Overall, Academic Convocation will set the tone of how “Gonzaga models and expects excellence in academic and professional pursuits,” will give students the opportunity to learn why academic success is important, and will address how to be academically successful at Gonzaga.