Originally published in The News-Star newspaper, August 6, 2006

Convocation: A ceremonial assembly of members of a college or university.

Such a thing will happen at the University of Louisiana at Monroe on Aug. 21 and will be the fifth such occurrence. Just picture it: Several thousand people, including the new class of 2010, students, faculty, staff, all marching across the Northeast Drive Bridge to Fant-Ewing Coliseum, surrounded by balloons and led by our own Sound of Today ULM Marching Band.

It will be an amazing thing to see and hear - the class of 2010 seated in the Coliseum, in the same place they will be for their graduation - music, especially the oft-requested stands-music of the marching band ... "Shama Lama Ding Dong," cheerleaders and spirit groups cheering, and that awesome feeling of being one student body, one faculty, one university.

President James Cofer will officially open the academic year. The colors of our United States will be presented, and we will sing the National Anthem - made poignant with the realization that young men and women are once again in harm's way.

There will be a special welcome to the class of 2010 as they take their first steps as part of ULM's legacy to the world.

The most solemn moment will arrive as we all stand and, led by President Cofer and the Choral Ensemble, sing our sacred and beloved Alma Mater.

Think about some of the words ... "ever home for us to go," "shining bright the bayou's gem," "ever loyal to ULM," "faithful we will always be" ... what a respectful, wonderful, magical moment that will be.

Continuing our tradition of having the author of the book chosen for our summer reading program as a speaker, we will welcome Eric Schlosser, author of "Fast Food Nation." What a treat for the class of 2010 to hear the author of the book they read over the summer.

Completion of the speeches will not mark the end of the day. We will all stand and sing the new Warhawk fight song and then follow the Sound of Today to our tailgate area known as the Grove for food and fun.

For many years, there was no Convocation. But, as we are finding in so many things, one simply has to look to the past - in February 1932 Ouachita Parish Junior College opened with its very first Convocation.

Joe Renwick of the Ouachita Parish School Board was the principal speaker, but the day was reserved for Superintendent T.O. Brown. He was honored in a poem by Dorothy Guerriero and a vocal solo by Margaret Grower.

Brown responded "with a few simple remarks in which he disclaimed having achieved anything unusual but stated that in the Junior College a dream of his was realized." What an exciting thing to have been able to hear the actual founder of your college speak.

So once again, yesterday and today will come together at ULM to remind us of our storied past and show us the bright promise of our future.

Have a great day at ULM.

Dr. John Knesel, ULM Professor

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