Campus Convocation
Welcome to Campus!
Starting life and academics at TU is a major step towards your future, that deserves to be celebrated.
Convocation is a celebration – to kick off the start of the academic year, to welcome new Dragons and to celebrate our current students, faculty and staff.
Campus Convocation will take place August 24, 2024 at 2:30 p.m.!
Relive the memories of the 2023 Convocation Ceremony
Re-watch the live stream of the ceremony!
Welcome to the Dragon’s Den – TU Hosts its Annual Convocation Ceremony
On August 19, the Dragon family welcomed its Class of 2027 to campus the only way it knows how – with nothing short of a fiery celebration – AKA the annual Convocation Ceremony. This year’s event was extra special, as it was also marked by the 135th anniversary of TU’s founding in 1888, which was mentioned throughout the affair.
The event kicked off with the faculty and first-year processional. Students, their family, friends and members of the community filed into the Heminger Center to find professors and mentors dressed in academic regalia, cheering students on as they were ushered to their seats. TU’s marching band, the Roar of the Dragons played everyone in. Per tradition, the color guard, dance and cheerleading teams also provided accompanying entertainment to get everybody in the proper mood.
Dr. Peter J. Holbrook, Provost and Chief Academic Officer then took the stage to give some opening remarks. He noted how much he and the community as a whole looks forward to the yearly event, and spoke about how much he enjoys leading the processional both for this and the annual TU Commencement Ceremony. Continuing with this thought, he also announced that this year would mark the start of a new tradition – that students will now proceed into the Heminger Center for both of the above events based on their chosen academic schools.
Dr. Holbrook then introduced Mr. Andrew (Andy) Felter, Chairman of the Tiffin University Board of Trustees. After welcoming and congratulating the new students, Mr. Felter acknowledged three other members of the Board in attendance – Mr. William (Bill) Hertzer, Mr. Daniel (Dan) Reineke and Mr. Richard (Rich) Zydonik, Jr. Mr. Felter then went on to express the seriousness with which the Board takes its commitment to providing students with the best in educational practices.
President Schumacher was next to take the stage, and offered some words of encouragement for the attendees. “Welcome to the class of 2027,” she began. “We are so thrilled you are with us today. All 50 states and many countries from around the world are represented within your ranks. You are truly a diverse and inspiring group.”
The President then offered her thanks to the family and friends of the new students for their support and guidance, and also expressed gratitude to TU’s faculty and staff, who helped ensure this and the other Welcome Weekend events went off without a hitch.
After going over TU’s official Guiding Principles and other core values, President Schumacher had attendees do a short exercise where they closed their eyes and envisioned a goal they wanted to achieve during their first year as students, before silently making a promise to do so.
“I want you to remember this as you embark on your journey with us,” she explained. “Remember the commitment you just made when things get tough, when you need inspiration, because there will be challenges. That said, we will be there to both help and challenge you every step of the way.”
Kaytelyn Caskey, President of TU’s Student Government then stepped up to welcome the freshman class, before reintroducing Dr. Holbrook, who offered some additional remarks.
TU music students Hansen Risley (vocals) and Colton Fleure (guitar) began the ceremony’s closing affairs with the song, “We Can Work It Out.” The pair’s performance was followed by additional thoughts from Assistant Professor of English and faculty advisor for the First Generation Dragons organization Dr. Kylie Skeel, Dean of Student Development and Transformation Dakel Patterson and Emeritus Dean Dr. John Miller, who provided the closing benediction.
“Twenty-seven percent of those who live in Ohio have college degrees,” he began. “You have an opportunity here to become part of a small group to whom others will turn for leadership. Do not let them down. Work hard and work honestly, and I know you won’t.”
To watch a livestreamed recording of the ceremony, visit vbj4.com/life-at-tu/first-year-experience/campus-convocation.
