As we formed our lines on the second floor of Mickle Hall this morning, I felt impatient.  It was stuffy, crowded, and I did not quite know what to expect.  But as we made our way to the chapel and filed in, the organ music softened my mood.  I could tell this event was important by the faculty’s robes, the formal program, and the sense of pride in Centenary.
        After we sung a hymn, Dr. Taylor delivered a thoughtful invocation, pleading for God to help us to push ourselves to the edge in learning, to be bold and courageous in life, and to experience the “cauldron of human struggles,” among other things.  His prayer excited a feeling of carpe diem from within.  During the Anthem, my eyes wandered over the people in front of me.  I noticed several friends I had made during orientation, and I could not help but wonder at how radically our lives have already changed.  Then Dr. Schwab came to the podium to formally welcome us into the 176th year of Centenary’s existence.  He spoke of the changes on campus and introduced Dr. George Newtown, winner of the Outstanding Teacher Award.  Following this recognition, Consul General of France Mr. Maizeret gave a beautiful speech in French (interpreted by a French major) to award Dr. Dana Kress for being an “ardent defender of the French language.”  I learned that French was the first European language to be spoken here.  After that, Dr. Fleck, Provost and Dean for a year here at Centenary, inspired us with the knowledge that a liberal arts education will give us the foundation we need to succeed in the work-place.  He impressed upon me that, though 70% of freshmen have declared a major, we will be prepared should we choose to change our major or work outside of it because of the core education.  I listened carefully as Dr. Fleck told of Mike, the biology major who designed pacemakers and other medical instruments, of Jill, the biochemist who went to law school and served an environmental law firm working to save salmon populations, and of his numerous other successful former students.
         I came away from the Convocation feeling reassurance that I had made the right choice when I sent my acceptance to Centenary College.  Not only that, I know I will have a sound future because of my liberal arts education.