To: Members of the Faculty and Administration
From: Michael J. Birkner, College Marshal
Re: Opening Convocation – Wednesday, August 25, 2021 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Beachem Portico (north side of Pennsylvania Hall) – library side
Please note, inclement weather plans below.
The Opening Convocation marking the start of the one-hundred and ninetieth year of Gettysburg College is scheduled for 4:00 p.m., Wednesday, August 25th, at the Beachem Portico (north side of Pennsylvania Hall) – library side, rain or shine. The faculty speaker for the occasion will be Ben Luley, Assistant Professor of Anthropology and Classics & Chair of Classics.
The College remains attentive to state and CDC COVID 19 guidelines on gathering and travel. We will keep you informed should guideline updates restrict gathering and Convocation observance.
Faculty and administrators will sit as they do for commencement; that is, as two groups in the left and right blocks at the front of the seating area. The left column of the line will split to the left and the right column to the right block of chairs. If you wish to sit next to a colleague, march either in front or behind that person.
Robing for Opening Convocation will start at 3:30 p.m. in Musselman Library’s main floor. The procession will form inside at 3:45 p.m. As is customary, faculty and administrators will process in lines according to rank and seniority. Two things will facilitate this. First, each faculty member will be listed on the processional posters, indicating where to line up within rank. Administrators who’ve communicated their attendance will as well be listed on the Processional Posters. (This information will be available on the faculty landing page starting on August 15th.) Second, signs in the Library will indicate where each faculty rank starts in the lineup as well as where administrators should line up. Participants in the academic procession will march to the lawn promptly at 3:55 p.m.
Caps should be removed by men immediately after the Marshal announces the opening of the ceremony and should remain off until after the Benediction. If you are sensitive to the sun, you may wear your cap or hat during the ceremony.
I will announce the recessional after the singing of the alma mater. The Class of 2025 will be asked to pass through Pennsylvania Hall as a symbolic form of matriculation. For those students who wish to pass through on the ground floor, there will be ushers to direct them. Faculty members will recess around Pennsylvania Hall and line up on either side of the sidewalk from Pennsylvania Hall to Brua Hall.
Because the Opening Convocation is the first formal event where students are introduced to the College, I join President Iuliano and Provost Zappe in urging you to make every effort to take part in this important event.
We will be outside. If the weather were to become dangerous mid ceremony, all students will be declared matriculated and all participants will be advised to seek shelter. If the weather were to appear dangerous before the ceremony, the event will be delayed to allow the storm to pass, then we will proceed with the ceremony.
MJB/stg
8/1/2021