Tag: Convocation

Spalding University held its annual Convocation ceremony on Thursday, Aug. 26, 2021 at the Columbia Gym Auditorium, welcoming new students to the Spalding community and helping them understand the Spalding mission. Spalding President Tori Murden McClure and Louisville Urban League President/CEO were among the speakers.

Spalding Student Government Association President Haley Nestor, who earned her bachelor’s from Spalding in 2020 and is now a student in the Master of Science in Business Communication program, gave remarks on behalf of Student Government, with advice about starting college. You can read Nestor’s remarks (edited slightly for brevity) below:

MESSAGE FROM SGA, President Haley Nestor, MSBC student

Good morning everyone. If feels like just yesterday it was 2017, and I was sitting exactly where you sit today, letting my mom know that I went to class, feeling overwhelmed with assignments, trying to navigate around campus, feeling awkward because I just slept next to a stranger and honestly, looking at the cute boys. I remember looking at the speaker who had the time slot I have today and thinking, how do I get there? How do I become that person who strives to inspire and develop others?

Today, I am so proud to stand here as not only a Spalding Alum and current graduate student but as a representative of the Student Government Association. I am Haley Nestor, and I am your 2021-2022 Student Government President. First and foremost, congratulations to you on becoming a Golden Eagle, getting past mom and dad’s tears as their baby has flown the coop, getting pass the soreness of moving your things up and down the residence halls that you now call your new home, and finally getting comfortable sleeping next to that complete stranger.

I am sure you are all feeling overwhelmed with the amount of times your parents have called you, the lengthy syllabi, choosing what outfit to wear, and I am sure the list goes on. As I was trying to map out the perfect words to say today, I quickly realized that this would be more than just a warm welcome. But a time for me to say the things that I really needed to hear when I sat in the seat that you are in today.

● Allow your parents to check-in and be proud of you and allow yourself to miss them.

● Embrace the different personalities, ethnicities, religions, point of views, and cultures. After all we are a diverse community of learners and you can grow a lot as a person embracing those that are different from you.

● Meet the needs of the time and appreciate the things like being able to have a conversation with a friend but staying six feet apart, having a roommate, having a discussion in class, etc. COVID-19 is our reality and it has its restrictions, but it should not be restricting how creative the mind can be as well as your ability to interact with one another.

● Open your heart, mind, and soul to the people around you. I never would of thought freshman Haley with a lot of freedom, would meet her love of her life on this very campus or the best friends who will stand next to her as she says “I do.”

● Finally, get out of your comfort zone and get involved. I met my fiancé on the cross country team, I learned and developed with student representatives through Student Government, and I have found this passion and love for leadership through Spalding University.

During your time here, I hope you come to realize that Student Government is a resource for you. It is our duty to advocate for and empower students to make our university a better place for all. We have a student representative for undergraduate students and graduate students as well as a secretary and a treasurer. I am excited to meet you all and have conversations on how you can be involved on campus and in the community.

For all the late nights, midterm and final cramming sessions and stressful group projects, I can assure you that it will be worth it. Try something new, change your major, but most importantly  find yourself being comfortable with who you truly are and then share it with the world.

Thank you for having me today, and I am looking forward to seeing one of you in this very spot next year.

INVOCATION

Before Nestor spoke, student leader Victoria Shedron, an elementary education major, gave the Invocation at Convocation. Here is Shedron’s prayer:

This is a moment of privilege, a moment in which these students have chosen to take upon the calling to be a student, to live out their individual callings through their specific gifts and talents. We recognize the blessing that that truly is. We pray that we are stewards to the opportunity and resources that have graciously been given to us. We ask for wisdom as we enter into this new season that has been prepared for us. We seek spiritual reassurance in our physical safety, mental and emotional well-being, and the inevitable growth that will occur in our time here at Spalding. I personally stand with the leadership in praying for students to be courageous and kind during this time of resistance. It is not a burden to be given the calling of resilience, for You have gifted us the power of resilience in our innermost being, and that itself is a blessing.

Amen

Spalding University’s new freshmen were encouraged to get involved and make the most of their college experience during Thursday’s annual Convocation ceremony for first-year students at the Columbia Gym Auditorium.

The entire new freshman class gathered to hear words of advice and encouragement from Spalding Board of Trustees Chair Jim Rissler, Undergraduate Education Dean Dr. Tomarra Adams, Psychology Professor Dr. Steven Kniffley, alumna Chrystal Hawkins, Student Government Association President Haley Nestor, student leader Victor Edwards, University President Tori Murden McClure and adviser Jimmy Rowland.

They were given an explanation of the Spalding mission statement, and McClure presented each freshman with a mission coin to serve as a reminder of the importance of diversity, learning, spirituality, service, peace and justice at the institution. Years from now, when the same students graduate, they’ll be encouraged to give the coin to a person who influenced them and helped them on their college journey.

Nestor, a junior, said she has felt drawn to Spalding’s mission and sense of community since she began college.

“I strive to have the success that men and women from Spalding have had in previous years,” she said. “I share in being spiritually grounded in my everyday tasks, and I take huge pride in wearing ‘Spalding University’ across my chest when I’m off campus or going through the finish line at a cross country meet when I can’t breathe. So my question to you is, ‘How will you live it, share it and take pride in being a Golden Eagle?'”

Edwards said he had no idea what to expect when he moved from Florida to Spalding his freshman year, but he made a point on taking on new responsibilities and experiencing new things, including volunteering for a nonprofit, taking difficult courses outside his major, and becoming a residence hall adviser.

“I want you to notice opportunities that come up for you as a college student and take a leap of faith and decide to say yes to some of those opportunities,” he said.

Tanner Dewitt, a freshman secondary education major from Hancock County High School, said Edwards’ message stood out to him.

“It was really motivating,” Dewitt said. “He told us to go out there and explore things, not just go with our usual routine and go to classes and go back to the dorms and study but to also get involved with stuff, different clubs and activities. (Convocation) motivated me to do that as well as to learn more about the community, enjoy it and learn from my mistakes while I’m here.”

Jillian Moorefield, a criminal justice studies major from Indiana’s Floyd Central High School, had a similar takeaway from Convocation.

“I think the main message that I found interesting was getting involved in things you’re uncomfortable with,” she said. “That’s something that my dad has always told me, ‘Get involved, and push your boundaries so that you can better yourself.'”

Peer Mentor, Victor Edwards, “I came to Spalding from South Florida on a Greyhound bus. I had no idea what I was going to do when I got here. It’s all about noticing opportunities as they arise.” #spaldingworldchanger pic.twitter.com/PANRXkTL7Z

— Spalding University (@SpaldingU) August 29, 2019

Spalding University’s first-year students have been on campus and in class for a couple weeks at this point, but on Wednesday, they got another warm welcome, more well wishes and an extended lesson on Spalding’s mission during the university’s annual Convocation ceremony.

All of Spalding’s new freshmen filled into the lower level of the Columbia Gym Auditorium to hear speeches from President Tori Murden McClure and others about making the most of their college experience.

McClure gave an in-depth explanation of the Spalding mission statement – reading it aloud, then expanding on it line by line.

“Spalding is a diverse community of learners,” she said, referring to the first line. “Look around. We value diversity. We want to learn from all kinds of voices, and we want to hear yours. Disagreement is not a sign of trouble; disagreement is a sign of thinking.”

She said Spalding works to meet the needs of the times in the tradition of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth and values compassion, the Golden Rule and a commitment to service, peace and justice.

“Here’s a secret,” she said. “The world’s not going to make you happy. It’s up to you. You’re in charge of your happiness. It’s all about attitude, all about being, all about finding your mission and finding your heart. … While you are here, I hope you find your mission.”

Then, as has become tradition at Convocation, McClure distributed bronze coins to all the new students that are engraved with the Spalding symbol on one side and key tenets of the Spalding mission on the other.

“It was really inspiring,” first-year psychology major Haley Logsdon said of Convocation. “I like to collect things that mean something to me, and I’ll put them on my dresser or somewhere where I’ll see them every day, and I’ll do that (with the coin).”

She continued: “When I was in high school and thought about going to college, I kind of  thought of  it as just a stressful experience just to get a degree and stuff like that. But now that I’m here, I see that it’s also about making relationships with people around you and about making a difference.”

Other speakers at the event were Peace and Restorative Services Director Chandra Irvin, new Dean of Undergraduate Education Tomarra Adams, Liberal Studies faculty member Deonte Hollowell, Spalding social work alumna Tanaa Davis, Student Government President Scotty Brooks, current student and peer mentor Shianne Davis, International Student Coordinator Sister Margaret Rodericks, SCN, and First-year Experience Coordinator Jeffrey Cross.

“The mission of Spalding is to make a difference in the world,” Tanaa Davis told the freshmen. “You all each have something different to contribute to make this world a better place. Here at Spalding, you can actually make things happen. This is the make-it-happen type of university.

“If you have an idea or a vision that you want to bring to pass, this is the place to do it, and this is the place where you’ll have the foundation for your purpose in life. You’re going to find your purpose in life here, I promise.”

A few weeks into their lives as college students, Spalding University freshmen were given a greater sense about the mission of their new school and their importance in contributing to that common cause at Convocation.

On Sept. 6, the entire freshman class attended Spalding’s third annual Convocation ceremony at the University Center Auditorium. The first-year students were officially welcomed to campus and given advice from administrators and current and former students.

Spalding President Tori Murden McClure presented each first-year student with a coin engraved with key words from the university mission statement: diversity, learners, spirituality, service, peace and justice.

McClure instructed the students to rely on others and to surround themselves with dynamic people because the close relationships they foster will have the biggest influence on their lives and character.

“Surround yourself with people who fill you up, not who attempt to tear you down,” she said. “… One of the things I really enjoy is surrounding myself with people who are better than I am at something. … I can learn from them.”

The freshmen were told to hold onto their coin for the next four years, then upon graduating, give it to a person they consider a mentor.

“I got a lot out of (Convocation),” said nursing major LeeAnn Weppler, who was one of 174 freshmen to register for classes this semester. “I was able to really see what Spalding was about and to see how the mission statement actually stays true to the faculty … I’m meeting so many diverse people, and everybody is so nice here. It’s an awesome community, and I’m so glad I chose Spalding.”

Another new nursing major, Callie Mansfield of Whiting, Indiana, said she was drawn to McClure’s message.

“From the first time I came here, I’ve looked up to her,” said Mansfield, who plays softball for the Golden Eagles. “Even though she has accomplished so many great things, she just keeping going. … That’s why I look up to her. … She’s an amazing role model.”

Recent alumna Crystal White, who earned her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy in June, gave a memorable speech about staying dedicated to academic pursuits, even in the face of tragedy.

White, a Louisville native who attended Moore High School, said two of her friends were killed and her brother paralyzed from the waist down during a shooting in Nicholasville, Kentucky, in May.

At the time, White was only weeks away from completing her degree and was wrapping up classwork and a research project.

Despite the adversity, she stayed on course and got her master’s degree with a 3.75 grade-point average.

“I didn’t share this story with you for sympathy,” she told the first-year students, “but to remind you that perseverance is the hard work you do after the hard work you’ve already done.”

She added: “If I can make it, you can, too.”