Convocation 2017
Monday, September 4, 2017 marked the official beginning of the 205th academic year at Kimball Union Academy. The occasion was marked by the annual Convocation Ceremony, beginning with students and faculty circled around the quad. After opening remarks from Assistant Head of School David Weidman and an invocation from Rev. John Gregory-Davis P ’08, ’13, ’17, Co-All School Presidents Owen ’18 and Lindsay ’18 unrolled black and orange ribbons, uniting faculty and students.
The school community processed into Flickinger Auditorium where Head of School Mike Schafer H ’13, P ’12, ’15, ’19 addressed the community at the start of his fifteenth year as Head of School. “I have been reflecting a great deal about the theme of the year: Passion,” remarked Schafer. “Passion is a driving force that can lead to positive change… It is in each of us [the faculty] - that is why we are here, and our job is to help you discover it in yourselves… This year, there will be challenges and change, laughter and joy, camaraderie, and friendships that will last a lifetime. if we approach them with heart as much as head and hand, we will arrive at Commencement with the greatest sense of enduring satisfaction and accomplishment.”
After a brilliant piano performance of Rachmaninoff by Yiwen ’19, Schafer recognized the two 2017 Mikula Teaching Award recipients, Murray Dewdney P ’06, ’14 and Scribner Fauver P ’09,’12. Fauver’s thoughtful and humorous speech was peppered with movie quotes and pop culture references, describing how he arrived at his own passion: teaching at KUA. “Sometimes the wand chooses the wizard…” Fauver quoted Mr. Ollivander from the Harry Potter series. He continued, “In my heart of hearts, I was a teacher... It turns out, teaching makes my heart sing. If you find something that makes your heart sing, do that. If you can find a way to get paid for doing what you love, you win.”
After a standing ovation in recognition of Mr. Fauver, Dalton Winslow P ’12, ’14 led a rousing rendition of Kimball Union’s Alma Mater. We broke bread together in an All-School formal dinner, while new students signed the matriculation book with Mr. Schafer, Owen, and Lindsey. As we embark on this educational journey, Mr. Schafer reminded us ”it is not how far we go, but how we go far together. That is my passionate charge.”
