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Knox College formally opens the new academic year with Opening Convocation

Opening Convocation 2015

Speaker Richard Riddell '72 advises students: "Learn to ask questions, listen to the answers, and decide what you think."

You're going to make a big difference at this place.

Knox College kicked off its 2015-16 academic year on Thursday, September 10, with the traditional Opening Convocation, where speaker Richard Riddell ‘72 encouraged students to become "good fiduciaries" who make the most of their time at Knox.

"You're going to make a big difference at this place," Riddell said, directing his remarks to members of the Knox Class of 2019.

Riddell, who in July became chair of the Knox College Board of Trustees, explained the board's role as legal fiduciaries of the college who are responsible for the College's long- and short-term health.

Students, he said, are fiduciaries of themselves, which means they have certain responsibilities as they pursue a liberal arts education. For instance, he said that " to get the greatest value of this kind of education, you have to engage."

"What can you do in the next four years to make your Knox education not only lead to a good job, but a good life -- a life full of opportunities, challenges, and meaning? A life where you do make a difference in the world and to other people?" he asked. "Knox can help in this quest. And here's your fiduciary duty: learn to ask questions, listen to the answers, and decide what you think."

He concluded with this advice: "Make the most of your four wonderful years at Knox, and may they lead you to successful and meaningful lives."

The Opening Convocation ceremony also featured a welcome from President Teresa Amott and a performance by the Knox College Choir, directed by Professor of Music Laura Lane.

"Opening convocations invite us to come together as a community and commit ourselves to the year ahead; to articulate goals, individual and collective; to set, as we say in the practice of yoga, an intention for the year ahead," Amott said as she greeted new and returning students, faculty, and staff.

  • William Hope, a professor of anthropology-sociology, received a top teaching prize at Opening Convocation
  • Tom Moses, a physics professor, won a top teaching award at Opening Convocation. Knox Dean Laura Behling presented the award.
  • Dakota Stipp '16 received the Faculty Scholarship Prize
  • Longtime Knox employees received recognition with the Janet C. Hunter Prize at Opening Convocation

"In the next few weeks, let us all look within, breathe deeply, renew our commitments, set intentions to learn, to grow, to stretch, to listen, and to respect one another as we build this special community," she added.

Several College prizes and honors were awarded to Knox faculty, students, and staff as part of Opening Convocation.

William Hope, assistant professor of anthropology-sociology, and Thomas Moses, professor and chair of physics, received the Philip Green Wright/Lombard College Prizes for distinguished teaching. Hope was selected for the award for non-tenured faculty, and Moses was selected for the award for tenured faculty.

Enkhjin Tumenjargal ‘16, an educational studies major, received the Elbridge Pierce Prize for scholastic improvement. It goes to the senior who has made the greatest increase in academic performance during the sophomore and junior years.

Dakota Stipp ‘16, a computer science major, received the Faculty Scholarship Prize. It is the highest honor that the Knox faculty accord to a student, and it goes to a senior who has exhibited exceptional academic ability while participating significantly in extracurricular activities.

Cindy Wickliffe, secretary for Campus Life in the Office of Student Development, and Peter Bailley '74, associate director of communications in the Office of Communications, received the Janet C. Hunter Prizes. The prizes recognize outstanding accomplishments and service to the College by members of the staff. Wickliffe was selected for the prize for hourly staff, and Bailley was selected for the prize for salaried staff.

(Photo at top of page: Richard Riddell '72 delivers the Convocation Address. Other photos: William Hope receives a faculty teaching award from Dean Laura Behling as President Teresa Amott looks on. Physics Professor Tom Moses with Dean Laura Behling. Dakota Stipp '16 with Associate Dean of the College Lori Schroeder. Janet Hunter Prize winners Peter Bailley '74 and Cindy Wickliffe.)

Published on September 11, 2015