September 1997
Creating Community at Convocation '97
Convocation Day is an opportunity for students, faculty, and staff to celebrate the opening of the new academic year. It is a day when the community can come together, whether formally at the Convocation Breakfast, or more casually, when students, faculty, and staff meet for food, music and fun on the plaza.
This year, Convocation activities on September 10 highlight two milestones: Chancellor Penney will reflect on her tenth year leading the campus and the upcoming inauguration of William Bulger as the 24th President of the University of Massachusetts. President Bulger will present the keynote convocation address at the Pre-Inaugural Convocation Breakfast, which will be held in the Clark Athletic Center.
In addition to the by invitation only Pre-Inaugural Convocation Breakfast, day-long events will be taking place on the plaza and at other locations on campus. Information tables and free giveaways will be available on the plaza over the course of the day, and vendors will sell their goods on the plaza between Wheatley and McCormack. Free food and music will be available throughout the day.
Musical groups will be performing for the campus community throughout the day at various locations on campus. Check the day's schedule of events for locations. Performers include the Dixie Jazz Kings; Tribal Trash, a group of young Bostonians who play on plastic buckets, pans, and various household items; Division Street; Inca Son; violinist Colin Matthews; Mary Jane and the Smoking Section; Nova Trova; and juggler and comedian Peter Panic.
Open houses will be held at Casa Latina, 10 to 7 p.m.; the Women's Center, 2 to 4 p.m.; and the Veteran's Center, 2 to 6 p.m.
"I hope we see a 'coming together' of students, support staff, administrators and faculty to share in the festivities," says Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Jan Robinson. "We have plenty of reason to celebrate the new school year, including a decade of leadership from Chancellor Penney and the inauguration of President Bulger," she adds. Robinson was one of a number of administrators who worked to put together the all-day events of Convocation Day '97 under the leadership of Vice Chancellor Michael Luck.