Cleveland State Holds Third Annual Opening Convocation

Holly Vincent
Tuesday, September 4, 2018 12:00 AM
Academics

CLEVELAND, Tenn. – Cleveland State Community College hosted its third annual Convocation on Wednesday, August 29 in the L. Quentin Lane Gymnasium. CSCC’s strategic plan calls for the development of additional events that add to the sense of community and tradition. The opening Convocation fits into this purpose by bringing the campus community together to greet CSCC’s newest members, helping them to engage with the CSCC family while celebrating its mission and history.

Dr. Bill Seymour, Cleveland State President said, “Only in its third year, this event is already becoming a tradition – one that unites our campus community at the beginning of the school year and helps us focus even further on our students in an effort to enhance engagement and encourage success.”

The Convocation included greetings from Seymour, as well other key speakers—Dr. Denise King, Vice President for Academic Affairs; Dr. Michael Stokes, Vice President for Student Services; Alisha Fox, Vice President for Finance and Operations; Sindy Reynolds, Staff Senate President; Ryan Thompson, Faculty Senate President; and Hunter Amelung, Student Senate President.  

Seymour recognized different groups present at Convocation, including both new and returning students, current faculty and staff, retired faculty and staff, alumni, as well as specific groups such as Tennessee Reconnect and Tennessee Valley Early College Students.

“It is clear that this is truly a family celebration,” stated Seymour. “We appreciate you and everyone else who has been a part of our first 51 years. We are excited about how we have launched into the second half-century at Cleveland State.”

The processional was led by faculty members carrying flags representing Cleveland State’s seven career communities—Advanced Technologies, Business, Education, Healthcare, Art and Humanities, Social Sciences and S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.) The flags are a symbol of how CSCC connects each student with their fields of study, the faculty and fellow students. They are also a symbol of commitment to each student and their success.

Wednesday’s Convocation was only one of the activities for “Welcome Week” at Cleveland State during the first week of classes. There was a Back to School Bash on Monday that included free food and interactive activities, Career Community Events throughout campus on Tuesday where students could connect with the faculty and other students in their fields of study, and Club Day on Thursday that featured representatives and information from each club on campus.

Photo Cutline: Pictured: Cleveland State Community College held its Third Annual Opening Convocation on Wednesday.