News from SUNY Cortland

For more information contact: Jennifer Wilson, 607-753-2232

SUNY Cortland to Begin New Year with Academic Convocation on Aug. 24

CORTLAND, NY (08/12/2008; 1553)(readMedia)-- SUNY Cortland will open its 2008-09 academic year with an Academic Convocation on Sunday afternoon, Aug. 24, in the Park Center Alumni Arena.

All first-year and new transfer students, along with the SUNY Cortland faculty, librarians and professional staff, are invited to participate in this hour-long event, which will begin at 4 p.m.

"SUNY Cortland has a longstanding reputation of being a friendly institution," said SUNY Cortland President Erik J. Bitterbaum. "It is most fitting, then, that from the moment our students set foot on campus, we formally welcome them into the College community through our Academic Convocation ceremony. I am proud that Academic Convocation has become an integral part of the SUNY Cortland academic experience."

The Academic Convocation processional begins with the all-college gonfalonier, who leads in the faculty, followed by the Schools of Arts and Sciences, Professional Studies and Education gonfaloniers. Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Mark Prus will carry the all-college gonfalon, while the gonfalons representing the College's three schools will be carried by the respective deans: Gerald Porter, School of Education; R. Bruce Mattingly, interim dean of the School of Arts and Sciences; and John Cottone, interim dean of the School of Professional Studies.

The processional concludes when the mace bearer brings in the platform party, which consists of members of the College's administration and faculty leadership, the College Council, visiting dignitaries and honorees. Communication Studies Professor Samuel Kelley, named a 2008 SUNY Distinguished Service Professor, will carry the mace, a ceremonial staff used as a symbol of authority.

Lynn Anderson, professor and chair of the Recreation, Parks and Leisure Studies Department, will offer a welcome. Brian Barrett, assistant professor of foundations and social advocacy, will deliver the Academic Convocation address. Speakers will include Bitterbaum; Prus; senior Casey Hahl, president of the Student Government Association; and Robert Howe, representing the Cortland College Foundation.

Performing Arts Department Professor Stephen Wilson will perform the pre-convocational, processional and recessional music. Junior musical theatre major Rebecca Rozzoni will sing the National Anthem and the Alma Mater.

Several returning students have volunteered to serve as student marshals. Currently coordinated through the President's Office, the Academic Convocation Committee members include: Darci Bacigalupi, special events coordinator; Sheila Cohen, associate professor of literacy; Carol Costell, academic advisor and coordinator of transfer students; Cottone; Timothy Davis, assistant professor of physical education; John Foley, assistant professor of physical education; Regina Grantham, associate professor and chair of speech pathology and audiology; James Hendrick, assistant director of residential services; Cheryl Hines, academic advisor and coordinator of non-traditional student support, advisement and transition; Virginia Levine, executive assistant to the president; Mattingly; William McNamara, director of dining services; Charlotte Plunkett, Park Center supervising janitor; Porter; Prus; Lori Schlicht, assistant director of advisement and transition; Greg Sharer, vice president for student affairs; Arnold Talentino, Honors Program coordinator; Abby Thomas, assistant director of advisement and transition; George Verdow, director of classroom media services; and Jeffrey Walkuski, associate professor of physical education.

The concept for an opening academic convocation, modeled after a ceremony of the College's earlier years, was developed from a recommendation by the College's Intellectual Climate Committee. The tradition was restarted in 2003.

For more information, contact Darci Bacigalupi, special events coordinator, at (607) 753-5453.

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