Hillsdale College Celebrates Fall 2022 Convocation
HILLSDALE, Mich. — Hillsdale College hosted its annual Fall Convocation at Christ Chapel on Thursday, Nov. 10, gathering the college community to honor the liberal arts academic tradition and celebrate the achievements of distinguished students and faculty.
“We are here to be better people. It’s inspiring work. It inspires just about everybody who comes in contact with it,” said Hillsdale College President Larry P. Arnn. “Let us remember to be grateful for our blessings and let us remember to be resolved to serve and keep them with all our strength.”
The traditional, religious ceremony takes place in Christ Chapel and begins and ends in prayer in order to bring together Hillsdale College’s community to celebrate the educational excellence of students and faculty. The keynote speaker was Associate Professor of History Matthew Gaetano, who spoke on the importance of finding one’s calling. His address was titled, “Pillars of Salt and Pillars of Remembrance.”
“Even the most beautiful memories while being recollected need to point us to the not yet. Not only to the transcendent goodness above, but to the vision of what faith and hope instruct us about future glory,” said Gaetano. “And on the way, there can be another pillar…this pillar leads us along the way, providing us with the hope to act unfailingly by grace with wisdom, justice, and charity.”
Mark Kalthoff, Hillsdale College dean of faculty, announced the all-school grade point average of 3.444 from spring 2022 as well as the winners of the school’s scholarship cups. Pi Beta Phi won the Sorority Scholarship Cup with a GPA of 3.534, and Delta Tau Delta won the Fraternity Scholarship Cup with a GPA of 3.363. The all-women’s GPA was 3.508, and the all-men’s GPA was 3.378.
Dr. Arnn presented the Fall 2022 Emily Daugherty Award for Teaching Excellence to Julio Suarez, assistant professor of art. “Julio Suarez is a superb painter. If you’ve seen his work, it’s interesting and good. He’s an inspiring teacher,” said Arnn.
The Joy String Quartet performed during the musical portion of the ceremony.
Photos of the ceremony and the speakers are available here.