BY CAROLINE BUNNELL
Photo Credit: Stonehill College
The Stonehill community packed the sports complex field house for Academic Convocation to celebrate the start of Stonehill’s 75th academic year.
The ceremony held on August 30, was just the beginning for some students. They are just starting their time at Stonehill, and don’t know what the next four years will bring them. For others, this is the beginning of the end to their undergraduate college experience, wondering how it went by so fast.
Students filed in being separated by class year and received their pins. Seniors collected the gold pins which they will don on graduation day, and first years also were given their Class of 2027 pins. The seats were filled with students including athletic teams sitting together awaiting the ceremony to begin.
Just after 4:30 pm, the event began with a procession of alumni from each decade of graduating classes, dating back to Stonehill’s origin. This set the tone for the focus of the legacy and history of Stonehill’s 75 years.
Following this, in came the faculty who were seated in the front sections, and waved as they passed the familiar faces of their students.
The group called the ‘podium party’ proceeded soon after which consisted of student speakers, award honorees, and administration within the college. Dr. Tracy Rosebrock led the group, followed by members of each class’s student government committee.
After a beautifully sung ‘America the Beautiful’ by Kaitlyn DaCosta and Kate Lally, Hannah Pignato ’24 read the invocation to bless the school community entering the academic year.
“Help us to grow a community rooted in compassion for those around us as we gather in club meetings, complete our internships, conduct research projects and take on new challenges,” Pignato read.
To begin the academic focus of the ceremony, senior Abby Green gave a passionate speech to introduce the 2022-2023 recipient of the Louis F. Hegarty Award for Excellence in Teaching, Biology Professor, Dr. Tracy Rosebrock.
Photo Credit: Stonehill College
Green emphasized the support of Rosebrock has given her throughout her college experience, and how she helped her overcome struggles in the classroom.
“She makes her philosophy abundantly clear: we are not defined by how much information we can regurgitate onto a piece of paper in an allotted amount of time. This is what makes her an exemplary educator. She challenges us to reach our highest potential while providing unwavering support,” Green said.
Green noted that she hopes to work in the medical field after graduation, in part due to the inspiration of Rosebrock’s approach to working in the field.
“It is because she opened my mind to the humility of medicine. She taught me how to treat the person rather than the disease,” she said.
An emotional Rosebrock gave Green a hug after her introduction, and moved towards the podium to begin her own speech which had a central message of inclusion.
She began by recounting her own college experience at New College of Florida. Rosebrock looked back fondly on her time in college, but was discouraged with the direction the college is going.
“I’m not telling you this story to advocate for an ideology. I tell you because like me, you belong, and will forever belong, to a strong community – the Stonehill community, the power of which I hope you can appreciate now, but that I trust you will come to appreciate more and more with time,” Rosebrock said.
Rosebrock made sure to mention the health disparities that are plaguing the healthcare system, and to highlight a leading activist that has worked to eliminate these inequities. This tied back in to her message of unity, equity, and diversity as a necessity across all spectrums.
“As a Stonehill community, we too lead with heart when we come together is unity in belief that we can create a more just and compassionate, and I’d add healthy world, just as Dr. Binagwaho has done,” Rosebrock said.
To continue the message of strong leadership and a passion for education, Vice President for Academic Affairs announced the 2023 recipient of the Louise F. Hegarty for Excellence in Teaching as Political Science, and International Studies professor, Robert Rodgers.
Ubertaccio read out quotes from students that had Professor Rodgers for various classes. The message was clear that he was always willing to take constructive feedback, and use that to help his students succeed.
He was welcomed to the stage to a standing ovation from Stonehill faculty, and various students. He was left nearly speechless at the surprise award, and said that he will be more prepared to give a speech at next year’s convocation.
After the presentation of the class pins from Alumni Council President, Cicily Shaw, was the long-awaited presentation of the senior class shovel.
The senior class president, Andrew Parker, chose a shovel known as the “Ames Featherweight Pony.”
Photo Credit: Stonehill College
“The Pony Brand signifies the highest quality shovel produced by the Ames Company. High quality is also important to Stonehill,” Parker said.
To close out the speeches for convocation, was Stonehill President John Denning, C.S.C to give his words of wisdom to the community.
His focus of the speech was to keep up the legacy of Stonehill for years to come, as members of the college have done for the previous 75 years.
“As you embark on your academic pursuits this year, I hope you will continue to lead with heart each day; finding connection among your classmates and colleagues; and learning from one another’s distinct experiences”, Fr. Denning said.
Rev. Stephen Wilbricht C.S.C finished out the ceremony with the benediction, and attendees filed out to officially begin the 2023-2024 academic year.
The message going into Stonehill’s 75th year was one of community and reflection on the strong legacy left behind from the college’s past.
Comments