Castleton University kicked off the Spring semester with a Convocation theme of “Riding the Wave,” an extension of the fall orientation theme of “Catching the Wave.”
Following a performance by members of the Castleton Jazz Ensemble, the ceremony was kicked off by Soundings and Fine Arts Center Director Marisa Valent-Altland, who acknowledged that Castleton University sits on land that is the ancestral home of the Western Abenaki people.
Student Orientation Staff coordinator and Executive Vice President of the Student Government Association Kayla Laurie encouraged students to take advantage of the many opportunities to engage on campus.
“Thinking about the friends I've made, both personal and professional, I know some of these relationships will be lifelong. Our shared experiences will turn into memories I'll never forget and I am forever grateful for the programs I've been involved with, and especially those I've had the privilege to lead. My advice is to take every chance you get at Castleton and ride the wave of opportunities before the good ones pass you by,” said Laurie.
Valent-Altland previewed various Soundings Program events this semester that highlight diversity and cultural awareness such as photography by blind and visually-impaired photographers, a Queer film festival, an all-female brass quintet, and the Hiplet Ballerinas.
“From the Chicago Multicultural Dance Center, the Hiplet Ballerinas are a primarily black performance group that combines ballet with modern hip hop,” she said before sharing a short film promoting the group.
Interim President Dr. Thomas Mauhs-Pugh gave remarks on the importance of empathy in relation to addressing inequality.
“Some differences in life are easier to accommodate and adapt to than others. Building codes and standard practices now call for 36 inch wide doorways in homes and buildings, three feet. Whether a doorway is that wide, doesn't matter to most of us, we don't even notice. But if you rely on a wheelchair, as my brother does, it makes a huge difference,” he said. “Other differences are harder for us to know. Differences of skin color, religion, ethnic heritage, economic status, gender, sexuality, handicap condition, and other socially defined variables. Inhabiting and navigating these differences can be difficult, often much more difficult, than changing building codes and adopting a certain door width, or type of door handle, or wearing a mask during a pandemic. What they have in common, however, is that you need to see the challenges before you can begin to address them, and engaging our diversity with sensitivity and respect is a critical first step to seeing the challenge. We must see before we can care.”
He concluded his remarks by again encouraging the community to practice empathy.
“Practice understanding the feelings of another, even when you don't share them. Both you and the world will be better for it,” he said.
Student Government Association President Ryan Boeke shared his co-curricular experiences on campus and told other students they could do the same.
“This school has endless opportunities, but only if you reach out and find them. Now is the time to make your story here,” he said.
Castleton Student NAACP Chapter President Tajae Edwards shared how he and several other students saw the need for a student NAACP chapter and took initiative leading to Castleton becoming the only nationally recognized NAACP student chapter in Vermont.
Edwards also serves on the Vermont State Colleges System’s anti-racism committee, student advisory council, and Castleton’s diversity, equity, and inclusion committee.
“Let me strongly say this; no students, faculty, or staff members should ever question if they belong here because regardless of your race, ethnicity, culture, gender, or sexual orientation, you have a place here,” he said.
The Castleton University Chorale closed the event with a performance of the Castleton Anthem.