Convocation is a ceremony held at the beginning of each year to welcome and celebrate new students at New England College. Staff and students come together to watch as first-years cross the covered bridge on campus to symbolize the beginning of their NEC journey.
During graduation, the students will head back through the bridge walking the opposite way, away from the college, signaling the end of their NEC career and the start of their new lives as young adults with college degrees.
This year, business professor Dr. Carrie Colbert was awarded the Robert A. Kilgore Faculty Award and delivered her speech following creative writing professor Dr. Jennifer Militello and NEC President Wayne Lesperance. Student class president Michael Barnard gave his speech to the incoming freshman about their journey ahead.
In accordance with New England College tradition, the students led out by a ceremonial bagpiper and followed by faculty. Professional bagpiper and police officer Patrick Cheetham has taken on the role after Eric Goodchild, who had played at the NEC convocation and many other events for over 20 years, tragically passed over the summer.
Patrick, having experience in ceremonies at UNH and other professional events found himself at home, is hoping to bagpipe with NEC for many more years to come.
“I have been invited back for commencement – I think in May or June of next year – and any other events in between, so hopefully not too too far away,” Cheetham said about his next plan to play for New England College.
First year transfer student Annie Raduazzo spoke to the New Englander about how she felt about the bagpiping.
“I think he did a GRIMtastic job!” Raduazzo said.
Students, faculty, and others cheered and applauded as one more convocation ceremony commenced, and the freshman have now crossed the bridge readying them for the next four years to come.
