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School year opens with Centennial Convocation
Aug 10, 2004 8:00 AM
By Tannika King - Faculty
To kick off Darlington’s school year and upcoming Centennial in 2005, the School held an Opening Centennial Convocation Wednesday, Aug. 18, at 8:10 a.m. in Morris Chapel.
“The Centennial is an extraordinary milestone for Darlington,” said Jim Hendrix, interim president, who gave the convocation address. “One hundred years of educational excellence and partnership with the city of Rome makes it appropriate that we pause to celebrate this signal event. The convocation initiated this celebration, and we will continue the commemoration through next year, when Darlington’s permanent president will be in residence.”
With many faculty dressed in academic regalia, Opening Convocation had a formal program featuring the history and ringing of the School Bell and recognition of national flags of countries from which Darlington has students in the 2004-05 year.
According to Betsy Awsumb, international student director, Darlington’s student body represents 25 countries, including the United States, and every continent except for Antarctica, while the School’s faculty includes teachers from four foreign countries. “What a difference 100 years can make,” she said. “I believe that Darlington’s founders would be extremely proud of the diverse community that we have become and the preparation that Darlington is giving her current students for their lives in the 21st century.”
During the ceremony, the Honor Council adviser and president led students and faculty in signing the Darlington School Honor Code. Additionally, this year’s senior class, the Centennial Class, was honored with a special reception immediately following the convocation. “This is an exciting time for the seniors, and a great honor for them to be graduating in Darlington’s 100th class,” said David Rhodes, headmaster.
To continue the Centennial theme throughout the 2004-05 school year, Darlington will also host alumni guest speakers the first Wednesday of every month during chapel hour. “These alumni will share their Darlington experience with us and talk about what the School has meant to them,” said Rhodes. “It is a great honor and privilege to be at Darlington during this time and to think back over what has been accomplished during the last 100 years.”
“The Centennial is an extraordinary milestone for Darlington,” said Jim Hendrix, interim president, who gave the convocation address. “One hundred years of educational excellence and partnership with the city of Rome makes it appropriate that we pause to celebrate this signal event. The convocation initiated this celebration, and we will continue the commemoration through next year, when Darlington’s permanent president will be in residence.”
With many faculty dressed in academic regalia, Opening Convocation had a formal program featuring the history and ringing of the School Bell and recognition of national flags of countries from which Darlington has students in the 2004-05 year.
According to Betsy Awsumb, international student director, Darlington’s student body represents 25 countries, including the United States, and every continent except for Antarctica, while the School’s faculty includes teachers from four foreign countries. “What a difference 100 years can make,” she said. “I believe that Darlington’s founders would be extremely proud of the diverse community that we have become and the preparation that Darlington is giving her current students for their lives in the 21st century.”
During the ceremony, the Honor Council adviser and president led students and faculty in signing the Darlington School Honor Code. Additionally, this year’s senior class, the Centennial Class, was honored with a special reception immediately following the convocation. “This is an exciting time for the seniors, and a great honor for them to be graduating in Darlington’s 100th class,” said David Rhodes, headmaster.
To continue the Centennial theme throughout the 2004-05 school year, Darlington will also host alumni guest speakers the first Wednesday of every month during chapel hour. “These alumni will share their Darlington experience with us and talk about what the School has meant to them,” said Rhodes. “It is a great honor and privilege to be at Darlington during this time and to think back over what has been accomplished during the last 100 years.”
