Year Begins with New Leadership, Inspiration, and Community Spirit
President Newkirk officially opened the 2016-2017 academic year by giving her first address to her new Converse family during Opening Convocation on Sept. 23. Student Government Association president Ariel Wingard also livened up the crowd with a spirited challenge issued to her fellow students: “Valkyries, we must find our heat and RISE.” The ceremony was capped off with keynote speaker Dr. Kelly Vaneman, recipient of the 2016 Kathryne Amelia Brown Award for Teaching Excellence, giving a one-of-a-kind “speech” that had the crowd on their feet and rocking to the beat. She will undoubtedly go down in history as one of the most engaging and entertaining keynote speakers for Converse Opening Convocation.
The campus community enjoyed lunch on the lawn following the ceremony, then kicked off construction for our new suite-style housing facility with a beam signing and desserts at the “Suites & Sweets” celebration.
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