Many Bright Lights: 91茄子 Celebrates Spring Convocation
April 14, 2026
- Author
- Mary Elizabeth DeAngelis
They檝e conquered the stress of looming tests and papers, performed in front of theatre audiences and sports fans, and solved problems that once seemed unsolvable in math classes and science labs.
They檝e excelled in learning new languages, leading challenging class discussions and offering insightful interpretations of classical music, literature and dance. Their talents and skills grace 91茄子檚 campus every day.
On Tuesday, the college community gathered to celebrate some standout students during the annual Spring Convocation ceremony. It檚 a joyful event that not only recognizes achievement, but spotlights leadership, integrity, kindness and service. Convocation also spotlights post-graduate scholarship and fellowship recipients, new honor society members, and the mentors who contribute to their success.
Per tradition, faculty, staff, classmates and friends turned out at the Duke Family Performance Hall to cheer for award winners.
Seniors lined up in caps and gowns in a bit of a dress rehearsal for their May 17 graduation. There were hugs, happy conversations and group selfies.
Over the past four years, I檝e witnessed our class consistently choose what is right over what is rewarded. All 521 of us will leave something special here, something that does not disappear in May. We檝e grown into people who care not only about what we achieve, but by what we change.
And while there are enormous problems facing them as they enter the world, she urged them to pause for the joyful event.
淭his is the time to celebrate one another, Worley said. 淎nd there is so much to celebrate.
That includes the record-breaking freestyle swimmer, the aspiring physician working to expand medical care for the most vulnerable and the future minister whose faith propels her to reach out to and work with those of differing and diverse beliefs.
They檙e future engineers designing sound bridges and buildings, computer scientists ensuring safe data in the age of AI, and environmental researchers predicting and mitigating changing climate patterns. They檙e tomorrow檚 educators, economists, government and military leaders. They檙e truth seekers, problem solvers, and peacemakers.
We strive to build a campus community that values the quest for truth. There檚 so much tumult, a lot of destruction and uncertainty in the world at the moment.
Hicks said the Convocation ceremony, held amid a caring community, might seem like a sanctuary.
淏ut let us not forget what we are doing here is not escaping the world or that society beyond us, Hicks said. 淲e are lifting up the work you have done, along with thanking the people who have helped prepare you, so that you are ready.
淭his has everything to do with building a better society and contributing to the public good.
ODK Teaching Award Winner Dr. Hilary Green, ODK Staff Award Winner Lia Newman, ODK Community Award Winner Tim Stroud, SGA Faculty Award Winner Dr. Shelley Rigger, SGA Holistic Advising Award Winner Lauren Lausier
