Averett University officially kicked off its 168th academic year on Tuesday, Aug. 18, with its annual Opening Convocation. Students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members gathered in Pritchett Auditorium, located inside the Violet T. Frith Fine Arts Center.
Averett Provost Dr. Julie Brown welcomed attendees and issued opening remarks before introducing Emma Maddux Kozlowski, chairperson of the Averett University Board of Trustees. Kozlowski extended greetings on behalf of the board and thanked the audience for their full physical, mental, and emotional presence.
“Convocation is, by its nature, about beginnings,” Kozlowski said. “New students, new classes, new opportunities and this year, a new president and a new chapter in the life of Averett University. There is something powerful about a new beginning. It gives us permission to look forward, not by forgetting where we have been, but by asking with renewed energy where we want to go. And I believe that Averett is at exactly that kind of moment.”
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Buddy Rawley, director of advancement at Averett University, welcomed the new students to the Averett family and the reach of more than 23,000 alumni. He recognized alumni in attendance spanning the last 60 years:
- 2020s – Shakeva Frazier, ’20
- 2010s – Ryne Gammon, ’17
- 2000s – Diane Gosney, ’03, ’13
- 1990s – Kim Hayes, ’92
- 1980s – Dr. Janet Laughlin, ’87
- 1970s – Dr. Martha Walker, ’74
- 1960s – Mary Clifton Franks, ’66
Interim Director of Enrollment Olivia Mann proudly spoke of the nearly 300 new members of this year’s student body. Averett students come from across the country. Students entering this academic year arrive from California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington and the District of Columbia. Mann continued a tradition by reading each state and asked that those students from each state make noise in recognition, making for a “party” atmosphere.
Vice President of Student Engagement Dr. Venita Mitchell welcomed students and once again drew upon her personal story to enlighten the group. She spoke about the Artemis Space Mission in April and how it correlates to this new academic year.
“First, four people from remarkably different backgrounds, learned to live and work together in one small capsule,” Mitchell said. “Different careers, different personalities, different experiences. Yet success depended on learning to trust one another.”
Ms. Unique Savage, SGA president, addressed the gathering on behalf of the upper class and spoke about her involvement in many different areas of the university. She charged the students to consider their legacy at Averett University. She challenged the assembled students to make meaningful connections and make an impact.
Marking the start of her first academic year, Averett University President Dr. Tatia Daniels Granger addressed the attendees at the Convocation.
“Today, we officially launch the beginning of a new academic year. As you’ve heard, beginnings are always such an inspirational and hopeful time,” Granger said. “This is also a new start for me and I’m delighted to kickoff this new year as your new president and a member of the newest cohort of the Averett family. I’m not sure yet you even realize how special this start is in the narrative of your life. Each beginning is a new chapter. So, it’s exciting to think about what this chapter will be within the rest of your life story. And the best news of all, you are the author of your story.”
She encouraged the students, the Cougars, to ROAR this year and spelled out what she meant each letter in ROAR to represent. In her remarks, Granger outlined that ROAR stands for rising to new levels, optimizing each opportunity, acting boldly and, in the end, achieving results.
“I’m still learning, but what I do know is that Cougars roar. So, we are going to roar!”
At the end of her remarks, Dr. Granger continued a tradition of hers from her days in the faculty. She took “selfies” with the audience to commemorate the new academic year.
University Chaplain Rev. Sean Timmons offered the invocation and benediction during Convocation. Giuseppe Ritorto, assistant professor of musical theatre, led the audience in the singing of the “Alma Mater” at the end of the ceremony. Dr. Anne Lewis played the piano and associate professor of music Dr. Janet Phillips played the flute for the processional and recessional. Dr. Anna Kautzman, assistant professor of finance, carried the ceremonial mace in the academic procession. The arrival of the mace signals the beginning of an official university gathering.
To view an archived link to the ceremony, please click here.
