Winthrop University welcomed a new generation of freshmen students Monday morning as part of the annual convocation ceremony on the first day of the school’s 137th academic year.
President Edward Serna, who started his term on July 1 2022, led the ceremony in the West Center gymnasium and spoke before students for the first time in his capacity as leader of Winthrop University.
“In 1895, Winthrop opened its doors in Rock Hill, and 300 students and 20 instructors walked through the gates of this campus, and for the first time created a community dedicated to learning,” Serna said. “Today, we meet to rededicate ourselves to this campus and to the spirit of community.”
Convocation as a tradition dates back to Winthrop’s founding president David Bancroft Johnson, who would convene the student body at the beginning of each school year to welcome them to the community and provide expectations and advice for the academic challenges ahead.
Serna continued this custom by sharing six pieces of advice he picked up as a former student of Winthrop University and member of the Winthrop Class of 2002.
“Go to class. Go to every class, okay? I can’t stress how important this one is here, yet you’ll keep hearing it.”
“Engage with organizations on campus and in the community. Sign up for one or more of these organizations.
“See concerts and shows, or attend a sporting event. Better yet, participate in them yourselves.”
“Discover Charlotte, outdoor adventures close to campus and trail systems. Discover the downtown arts and cultural scene.”
“Take extra time to get to know faculty and staff. I highly encourage you to; we are all invested in your success and care for your progress.”
“Spend as much time on campus as possible. If you live on campus, you don’t have to go home every week. There’s so much to do, just take a moment everyday to get out and just look for things to do on campus. It is a vibrant place to be.”
After closing Convocation, Serna and his wife, Lauren Serna, led students in a two-column line to the front lawn of the campus through the breezeway connecting Tillman Hall and Margaret Nance Hall as part of “the Blue Line” tradition.
The Blue Line is another custom established by the founding president that originally involved a procession led by the sitting president walking down Oakland Avenue to attend church service on the first Sunday morning each academic year. The blue and white uniforms worn by students in the two-column line earned the tradition the Blue Line nickname.
More than 135 years later, students and other participants instead gathered on the front lawn of the campus to enjoy a community picnic and interact with tabling extracurricular activities and organizations like Winthrop Athletics, RUF and more.
Interim Provost for Academic Affairs Peter Judge said he’s looking forward to being able to get together more as a community this semester, and hopes the Winthrop community can “build up a positive spirit.”
“We’ve been down the past couple of years because of COVID, the political situation, our social situation,” Judge said. “Our society is struggling. I’d like for us to feel like we’re really in this together, and satisfied about why we’re here.”
