Academic Convocation

Each year, SUNY Cortland opens the school year with an Academic Convocation, which takes place in the Park Center Alumni Arena.

In 2009, the event will take place on Sunday, August 30 at 4:00 p.m.

All first-year and new transfer students, along with the SUNY Cortland faculty, librarians and professional staff, are invited to participate in this hour-long event

“Academic Convocation is always a joyous occasion,” said SUNY Cortland President Erik J. Bitterbaum. “The event signals the beginning of one’s academic career at a new institution.

"It is an opportunity for entering students to be officially introduced and welcomed into the campus community, and from that moment on to embrace SUNY Cortland as their alma mater.

Academic Convocation represents many beginnings — of new friendships, new studies and new opportunities for exploration and self discovery.”

The Academic Convocation processional begins with the all-college gonfalonier, who leads in the faculty, followed by the Schools of Arts and Sciences, Professional Studies and Education gonfaloniers.

The first academic convocation to open the academic year in many years was held in 2003.

 

Information about the 2009 Academic Convocation Ceremony

Speaker:  Dr. Sharon Steadman, Associate Professor, Sociology/Anthropology; Coordinator, International Studies Program and Director, Brooks Museum

Faculty Host:  Dr. Timothy Davis, Assistant Professor, Physical Education

Mace Bearer:  Dr. Jack Sheltmire, Director, Center for Environmental and Outdoor Education

Student Speakers:  Ms. Nicole Chodkowski '11, Mr. Daniel Pitcher '10 and Mr. Jesse Campanaro '11

 

2009 Academic Convocation Planning Committee

Darci Bacigalupi, Special Events Coordinator for the President's Office
Robert Buckley, Technical Services Associate, Classroom Media Services
Dr. Sheila Cohen, Associate Professor, Literacy
Giovanna Colosi-Lawson, Academic Advisor and Coordinator of Transfer Student Support, Advisement and Transition
Dr. Timothy Davis, Assistant Professor, Physical Education
Dr. John Foley, Associate Professor, Physical Education
Professor Regina Grantham, Associate Professor and Chair, Communicative Disorders and Sciences
James Hendrick, Associate Director, Residence Life and Housing
Michael Holland, Assistant to the Vice President for Student Affairs
Dr. Virginia Levine, Executive Assistant to the President
Dr. R. Bruce Mattingly, Interim Dean, School of Arts and Sciences
William McNamara, Director of Dining Services, ASC
Charlotte Plunkett, Supervising Janitor, Park Center
Lori Schlicht, Associate Director, Advisement and Transition
Dr. Arnold Talentino, Coordinator, Honors Program
Abby Thomas, Associate Director, Advisement and Transition
George VerDow, Director, Classroom Media Services

 

For more information, contact Darci Bacigalupi, special events coordinator, at (607) 753-5453.