Class of 2028 Welcomed to Campus at Convocation Ceremony
President Bob Iuliano delivers remarks to the class of 2028 during the Opening Convocation, August 21, 2024. (Vincent DiFonzo/The Gettysburgian)
By Vincent DiFonzo, Editor-in-Chief
Gettysburg College welcomed the class of 2028 in the Opening Convocation ceremony, held Wednesday afternoon on Pennsylvania Hall’s north lawn.
The College Convocation Band played the opening prelude to the ceremony. The processional was led by Professor Michael Birkner. Director of Religious and Spiritual Life and College Chaplain Bright delivered the invocation and land acknowledgement.
Next, Student Senate President Michael Woods ’25 addressed the newest members of the student body, reflecting on his first-year experience and how taking advantage of opportunities at the College shaped his time here.
Administrators and faculty, including President Bob Iuliano, Professor Michael Birkner, Provost Jamila Bookwala and Chaplain Bright, process to Pennsylvania Hall during Opening Convocation.
Members of the Student Senate process to Pennsylvania Hall, carrying the class of 2028 flag. (Vincent DiFonzo/The Gettysburgian.
The Convocation band playing during the ceremony. (Vincent DiFonzo/The Gettysburgian)
Student Senate President Michael Woods ’25 addressing the class of 2028 during Opening Convocation. (Vincent DiFonzo/The Gettysburgian)
“Whether academic, extracurricular, athletic or creative in nature, everything you’ll experience here will exercise the abilities needed to utilize opportunities,” said Woods.
Chair of the German studies department and professor of Jewish studies Kerry Wallach spoke next, focusing her speech on identity, assimilation and the meaning behind names.
“Though we inherit much from the past, there is power in choosing your own name or nickname, or in changing your name to match how you want to be seen,” she said. “You play a key role in shaping your identity and your future.”
German and Jewish Studies Professor Kerry Wallach delivers a speech during Opening Convocation. (Vincent DiFonzo/The Gettysburgian)
Wallach then introduced President Bob Iuliano to deliver the presidential remarks and proclamation of matriculation, which officially recognizes the class of 2028 as Gettysburg students.
Present on the stage was a small red bike, which Iuliano explained in his speech. In 1954, a 12-year-old in Kentucky named Cassius Clay’s red bike was stolen. After reporting the theft and being told he’d “better learn how to fight,” Clay found his interest in boxing.
This “red bike moment” led Clay, better known as Muhammad Ali, to become possibly the most accomplished boxer of all time, in addition to his anti-Vietnam War and civil rights activism.
“It’s [the bike] a symbol of our aspiration for you as you begin your Gettysburg journey, our hope that you will seek mentorship and support, that you will be open to the unexpected and that you will take lessons as much and perhaps more from the hard days than the easy ones,” said Iuliano.
He then announced that there was a drawing of a red bike under one new student’s chair, and that the winner would win an actual red bike. After a short delay, the winning student stood and held up the drawing.
Marissa Duggan ’25 led the crowd in singing the alma mater.
In tradition, Convocation ended with the first-year class processing through Pennsylvania Hall to its south lawn. At their commencement ceremony in May 2028, they will process the opposite way through the building.
See more photos of Opening Convocation below:
Iuliano addressing the class of 2028, with the red bike seen to his right. (Vincent DiFonzo/The Gettysburgian)
Marissa Duggan ’25 leads the crowd in singing the alma mater. (Vincent DiFonzo/Gettysburgian)
Students, faculty and families gather in front of Glatfelter Hall after Opening Convocation. (Vincent DiFonzo/The Gettysburgian)
Students in the class of 2028 during the singing of the alma mater. (Vincent DiFonzo/The Gettysburgian)
Faculty members line up to greet first-year students after they processed through Pennsylvania Hall. (Vincent DiFonzo/The Gettysburgian)
Students in the class of 2028 walking after processing through Pennsylvania Hall. (Vincent DiFonzo/The Gettysburgian)
Steps of Pennsylvania Hall pictured shortly after Convocation. (Vincent DiFonzo/The Gettysburgian)
