NKU Convocation Fatigue
The beginning of each collegiate school year is marked by
convocation – a Latin term meaning boring speeches.
This fall, on campuses across the nation, academics and students
gathered together to join in celebration of the new school year. Hope springs
eternal at these events as new professors are introduced to their colleagues,
administrators set forth their annual list of lofty institutional goals and
incoming freshman seek motivation (and usually directions to the bathroom).
I am sure they had convocations each year I attended Eastern
Kentucky University in the late 1970s. However, as the university leadership
never had the foresight to hold its convocations at The Family Dog or Ma
Kelly’s, I never attended one.
In the event you don’t get the reference to The Dog or Ma’s, ask
an EKU alumnus or a University of Kentucky alumnus that had enough extra
spending money to head to Richmond on a Thursday night during the era when the
home of the Colonels had the distinction of being one of the top 20 party
schools in America. Go Big E! – but I digress.
As my son got ready to start his college career at Northern
Kentucky University, I began getting invitations to campus convocations. I went
to the convocation for the Steely Library. I went to the convocation for
faculty, staff and friends of NKU at Greaves Hall. I went to the convocation for
new students and their parents at the Bank of Kentucky Center.
By the time my son settled down for his first night in Kentucky
Hall as a new Norseman, his mother and I were convocated-out.
Through the awards, introductions and speeches, I learned several
things about Northern Kentucky University.
First, I came to realize that the Steely Library on NKU’s campus
is a hidden jewel of our community. The folks at Steely have learned information
is best utilized when properly delivered. They have discovered a workable
balance between access to paper and online databases by making both available to
their users.
Secondly, convocation gave me first-hand interaction with NKU’s
student body as well as those taking our next generation of leadership through
their first challenge of adulthood. Not only am I impressed by the quality of
students NKU is attracting, but I also understand that the people working there
are the magnet attracting these students.
Finally, I learned that I do not know my Latin and convocation
doesn’t mean boring speech.
The speech given by NKU President Geoffrey Mearns was humorous,
informative and inspiring. Having come to our community a year ago to replace
Jim Votruba at the helm of NKU, we’re still getting to know President
Mearns.
For many, a first impression of Mearns was formed as he dealt with
some challenging, and very public, issues regarding the athletic department. We
skipped the dating and jumped right into a relationship. Via convocation to the
point of fatigue, I got to know a little bit about NKU’s President.
Mearns’ vision for NKU is exciting and … well … visionary.
At the end of his speech to faculty, President Mearns reflected on
his parents as people who believed deeply in the power of education. He spoke
from the heart in a way that would make any parent comfortable in placing their
children in his hands.
Now, if I can just figure out how to get Mearns to help me move my
son out of the dorm at the end of the semester.
Rick Robinson is a Fort Mitchell lawyer, author and politician. His books are available at amazon.com.