When you come to Elizabethtown College as a first-year, you are placed in a peer group according to your First Year Seminar. This is the beginning of the many wonderful experiences and memories that you will make during your years at this institution. Whether it just happened to you about a week ago, or it happened to you four years ago, you were a part of your very first campus ceremonies – Induction and Convocation.
I remember my Induction three years ago. Our whole class sat in Leffler Chapel and Performance Center because it had rained. The lights were dimmed, and the light of our candles filled the room. I remember thinking how pretty it was. I felt like I was really a part of something and that I belonged. Then, one by one, we walked up and got our pins. It was something that was special just for our class.
Although I had my Induction three years ago, I still have that sentimental feeling. There are others who experienced something similar just about a week ago. “Induction was a nice ceremony because it brought the class together, and the pinning was nice,” first-year Heather Groody said. Isn’t that what ceremonies are for, bringing people together to celebrate something special? “Induction was a really nice and intimate ceremony that made me feel very welcomed into the college community!” first-year Abby Drumheller said. Here at Etown, I believe we really do want everyone to feel welcomed, because they are. We all have a place here, and going to Induction is just the beginning.
Another event that takes place during your very first week of college is Convocation. While this is a big deal to those who are being honored, is it really important for first-years to attend? “Convocation was a little lengthy, but it was still nice being recognized by the faculty and the leaders of the college,” Drumheller said.
Marissa Peduto is in her senior year and has been a Peer Mentor for the past two years. Not only has she attended her own first college ceremonies, but she has also had the pleasure of watching her peer students attend their own. “I believe that Induction is the more enjoyable out of the two. It’s the first ‘event’ with the peer students and a perfect opportunity for pictures of everyone all dressed up, plus it marks the end of the orientation weekend. The ceremony itself is symbolic and not too painfully long. It’s generated for the first years, as they get their pin and they light a candle. It’s all about them,” Peduto said. However, her thoughts on Convocation are a little different. “Convocation feels more like the first years are only required to go just so there is someone in the audience. Generally, they have no idea who the professors that are getting honored are, and know very few upperclassmen to cheer for the Emergent Scholars. While they can say that Convocation is also for the first-years, it certainly just seems like they wanted to fill the seats.”
Making sure that you belong is so essential to your first year of college. It sets up how the rest of your years will go. Looking back on my first year, I’m so grateful that we have things like peer groups and Induction. These are things that make Etown unique. It’s a welcoming feeling and it’s something that I know I’ll always remember.
When I take part in Graduation, my last ceremony as a Blue Jay, I’ll think back to when I was only just beginning my journey and reflect on how much fun I’ve had, how much I have learned and grown, and how many memories and relationships I’ve made which will last me a lifetime. It will be one of those moments when we are all together to celebrate ourselves once again.
I think that’s why we have these ceremonies. They’re more than a bunch of people just sitting in seats and listening to someone speak. They are about learning what others have gone through to get to where they are today. They are about reflecting on your own life and how far you have come. They are about lighting that first candle when you come in as a first-year and receiving that diploma as you walk across the stage at your graduation.
Maybe some value these traditions more than others, but they are a big part of what makes up Etown. We are all different, but when we come together to be a part of this institution, these are the things that we all share. The ceremonies that we take part in are what make us Blue Jays, always.
-Abigail Piskel
