News and Events
EASTERN HOLDS CONVOCATION TO START NEW ACADEMIC YEAR
St. Davids, PA, Sept. 2, 2008: On Friday, August 29 at 10 a.m. Eastern University held its annual opening convocation to ask God's blessing upon the University as it gathers to commence the work of the traditional academic year. With a charge delivered by Dr. Thomas C. Oden, Theologian and Director of the Center for Early African Christianity and General Editor of the Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture, the event featured the installation of Eastern's first Chancellor, Dr. Christopher A. Hall. Dr. Hall has been a professor of biblical and theological studies at Eastern University since 1992 and has served as dean of Eastern's Templeton Honors College. The convocation also welcomed new students, faculty, staff and administration into the Eastern family.
“We gather today to acknowledge that to whom much is given much is expected, and to honor those who have met those sacred expectations,” Eastern University President David Black said.
Undergraduate Student Government President Justin Tomevi urged first-year students to get involved, while new faculty were introduced and awards were given to students for academic achievement. As a result of their demonstration of proficiency and competency in their areas of study, Juniors Jacob Brewer, Kristie Petrillo, Ashley Cook and Sophomores Sasha Montes, Dante Johnson, Adam Beach, Heather Loring, Abaigail Briggs, Molly Brooks, Stephanie Ciner, Katherine Rugge and Jenny Swecker, were presented with awards, among others. Numerous students were also named as Gladys Howard Music Scholars, 2008 W. Wilson Goode Scholars, and recognized for placement on the Dean’s List and as Templeton Honors College students.
In addition, a new program, "One University, One Book" was launched. The book chosen for this year's inaugural read is An Ordinary Man by Paul Ruseabagina. All students present at Convocation received a copy of the book; remaining students, faculty and staff will receive their copies through their departments, at no cost thanks to the generosity of a friend of Eastern.
“It is our hope that both our fellowship together in one place at the Convocation, and our study of this book together as a community, will symbolize our unity in Christ as we engage the work of the coming year,” Provost Dr. David King said.
