“One Community” is theme for 2021 Convocation
Aug. 25, 2021
“One Community” is the title of the address that Maryville College President Dr. Bryan F. Coker will deliver to new and returning students, faculty and staff during the College’s 2021 Convocation ceremony, which is scheduled for Thurs., Aug. 26.
The ceremony, which marks the opening of the 2021-22 academic year, begins at 9 a.m. on the lawn between Anderson Hall and Sutton Science Center. The public is invited to watch via a live stream.
During his first official Convocation as president of Maryville College, Coker will use 1 Corinthians 12:12-26 to illustrate his chosen topic.
Several take part in the ceremony
The class of 2022, a small group of staff and faculty delegates, and platform speakers will march in procession. Coker will welcome attendees to the ceremony.
Chase Hatmaker ’14, adjunct choral assistant, will serve as organist.
Andrew Brittain ’22, will offer the prayer of invocation. The College’s Statement of Purpose will be read by Haley Davis ’22, president of the Student Government Association.
“Will the Circle Be Unbroken” will be performed by the Maryville College Concert Choir under the direction of Stacey Wilner, director of choral activities and lecturer in music.
The scripture reading will be read by Nicholas Starcher ’22. The Rev. Dr. Anne D. McKee, campus minister, will offer prayers for the College.
Dr. Dan Klingensmith, vice president and dean of the College, will give the declaration of the academic year and, following the singing of the Alma Mater, McKee will conclude with the benediction.
Classes began Aug. 25.
History of Convocation at Maryville College
Convocation at Maryville College is traditionally held the Thursday after the first day of classes (classes begin on a Wednesday), and the president delivers the Convocation address. But that was not always the case.
From the beginning, the College Catalogs listed “The first Chapel Service” of the year, which either fell on the day of registration or the first day of class. The first use of the word “Convocation” in the College Catalog was on Sept. 15, 1939. During that year, the opening chapel service was on registration day (Sept. 14) and “Annual Convocation” was on the first day of class (Sept. 15).
This schedule lasted until the fall of 1956, when Convocation was held 10 days to two weeks after the first day of class. In 1965 and 1966, Annual Convocation and Founders Day were on the same day in late September.
In 1967, chapel was dropped, and Annual Convocation was held 11 days after the start of class. Edward Lindaman of the North American Aviation and Apollo Program was the speaker, according to the student newspaper, The Highland Echo.
In 1969 and for the next several years, Convocation was held on the day before or the day after the beginning of classes. Former MC President Dr. Joseph Copeland usually spoke at Convocation during the 1970s (with the exception of Dr. Alexander, chancellor of Vanderbilt University, who was the speaker in 1973). Starting in the 1980s, Convocation has been held the day after classes start, with the president serving as the speaker.