Incoming Students Symbolize New Beginnings at Convocation Ceremony
August 21, 2023
Around 200 members of Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ’s incoming student class wrapped up their 2023 Orientation Week activities and officially launched their higher education journeys at the university’s annual Convocation ceremony, held August 20, 2023, in the Beaux Arts Ballroom.
Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ’s annual Convocation ceremony is meant to bookend a student’s time in college, providing a ceremonial beginning to a journey which eventually ends at Commencement and the awarding of degrees. Faculty in regalia processed into the ballroom, joining students who heard welcome messages from Travis Greene, Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ’s vice president for student life & success, and John L. Hoffman, Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ and Northwest Technical College president.
In his remarks, Hoffman challenged students to take advantage of the myriad opportunities that life on a college campus can present to them and to identify and share their superpower — a special skill that each student can use to support others.
The ceremony concluded with a solemn candle-lighting ceremony. From a flame burning on stage, faculty and students used their candles to ignite candles held by their neighbors to symbolize the exchange of knowledge that will happen while they attend Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ.
The ceremony featured a welcome song from Red Lake Nation, and Greene read and explained Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ’s Land Acknowledgement.
Candle representing the light of knowledge at Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ’s Convocation.
Candle representing the light of knowledge at Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ’s Convocation.
The Bemidji Choir warms up for its performance of Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ’s Alma Mater.
Students enter the Beaux Arts Ballroom for Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ’s 2023 Convocation.
Students at Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ’s 2023 Convocation.
Students at Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ’s 2023 Convocation.
Students at Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ’s 2023 Convocation.
Students at Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ’s 2023 Convocation.
Students at Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ’s 2023 Convocation.
Students at Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ’s 2023 Convocation.
Students at Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ’s 2023 Convocation.
Students at Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ’s 2023 Convocation.
Students at Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ’s 2023 Convocation.
Students at Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ’s 2023 Convocation.
Students at Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ’s 2023 Convocation.
The stage for Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ’s 2023 Convocation ceremony in Beaux Arts Ballroom.
Travis Greene, vice president for student life & success, speaks at Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ’s 2023 Convocation.
Honor Song performed at Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ’s 2023 Convocation ceremony.
Dr. Jennifer Olson sits with students at Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ’s 2023 Convocation.
Students at Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ’s 2023 Convocation.
President Hoffman speaks at Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ’s 2023 Convocation ceremony.
President Hoffman speaks at Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ’s 2023 Convocation ceremony.
Students share the light of knowledge at Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ’s 2023 Convocation ceremony.
Students share the light of knowledge at Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ’s 2023 Convocation ceremony.