Ithaca College’s 2008 convocation ceremony, which took place Aug. 25 in Ben Light Gymnasium, not only marked the beginning of the academic year, but welcomed the class of 2012 and new college president, Tom Rochon, to the campus community.

Incoming freshmen, faculty, staff and several returning students, eager to hear Rochon address the campus community for the first time in his new post, attended the ceremony.

Lynne Pierce, interim executive assistant to the president, assisted in preparing for a day that, Rochon said in his speech, would not be forgotten.

“It’s a college-wide effort, it’s always special,” Pierce said. “It’s about the start of a new school year as well as welcoming the class and the new students.”

The ceremony began at about 11 a.m. with faculty members filing in wearing full scholarly regalia. The Ithaca Brass played a processional march as faculty and administrators took their places on stage.

The opening of ceremonies was marked by a faculty vocal ensemble singing the college song “Ithaca Forever,” as well as “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

Catholic Chaplain Carsten Martensen delivered the invocation, a prayer that starts the ceremony.

The pinnacle portion of the ceremony was the highly anticipated speech by Rochon, who opened with a joke after greeting a standing ovation.

 “I can’t help but worry it’s all going to be downhill from here,” he said.

Rochon went on to detail his freshman year and how daunting the experience can seem.

“My fellow freshmen, I feel your pain,” he said, “And I feel your excitement.”

Student Government Association President and senior Cornell Woodson gave a speech that evoked similar excitement from the crowd.

“You all are authors of your life story. This is the day you begin writing another chapter in your book, this the day you start with a piece of clean paper,” Woodson said.

Woodson said he thought the president’s speech put him in a positive light to students.

“He’s a regular person who happens to be the President of the college,” Woodson said, adding that convocation is not the place to present everything you believe in. “He knew he had to make a good impression on these people.”

Junior Alyssa Downey, a business marketing major, didn’t know what to expect from the president’s speech but said she was not disappointed.

“I think he really related to the students,” she said. “He made himself an equal,” Woodson said he and the president have a healthy working relationship, and he has been pleased with the commitment Rochon has made to the students, recalling how the president even walked around the dormitories to greet students.

“I’m hoping everyday people will know what Tom Rochon stands for,” Woodson said.

Rochon told students how important it is to be an active member of a learning community, like that of the college, in his address.

“Success requires empathy,” Rochon said. “Empathy is the understanding of difference. In an increasingly global society and economy, the embrace of diversity becomes ever-more important. Where on campus will you find the opportunity to develop these skills? The answer is everywhere.”

Many students said they thought Rochon’s speech was helpful. Freshman Chloe Gatta, a Spanish major, said she was moved.

“It was really motivational and inspirational,” Gatta said.

Freshman Elise Edwards, a biology major, said Rochon’s words were comforting.

“It made my experience better [in coming here],” Edwards said. “It was an exciting feeling that school was starting, it just gets you excited for the year.”

Rochon mentioned how the incoming class was selected from an applicant pool of more than 14,000.

“You belong here,” Rochon told the incoming class. “You are welcome here.”

Rochon made clear to the incoming body the campus’ commitment to sustainability, adding that the picnic after the ceremony would work toward those efforts. He encouraged students to grab a reusable mug, partake in the school’s “Balanced Way” nutrition program and to dispose of their compostable eating-ware appropriately.

“Advancing sustainability, in our personal and professional lives, requires the application of both intellect and creativity,” Rochon said. “Making this commitment is a mark of character.”

During the ceremony, Provost Kathleen Rountree presented three professors with awards for excellence in their careers at the college.

Elisabeth Nonas, associate professor of cinema, photography and media arts, received an Excellence in Teaching award. Patricia Zimmermann, professor of cinema, photography and media arts, was given an Excellence in Scholarship award. Laurie Arliss, professor and chair of speech communication, received an Excellence in Service award.

Woodson described the incoming class as “energetic” and said he was looking forward to working more with the student body in the coming month.

Overall, he said he considered the ceremony a success.

“It was very quick and smooth, we did what we had to do,” Woodson said. “We got in there, we gave [the students] a good message and welcomed them, I think, officially to the Ithaca College community.”