The Bacheller Memorial Chime is rung each day at 5 o’clock and is one of the most unique and awesome aspects of the St. Lawrence experience. Last Thursday, many students may have noticed that the bells rang at a very unusual time. This was no mistake. This ringing of the bells marked the end of what has hopefully become a new tradition here at St. Lawrence – First Year Convocation.
As in years past, all FYP faculty were holding their usual 4th-Thursday-of-the-semester planning meeting. At the same time all students from the Class of 2015 met in Gunnison Memorial Chapel during what would have been their scheduled FYP class time. The reasoning for the newly planned event was to once again welcome the class to not only their first year of college, but the St. Lawrence community as well. The main focus of the event was to ask for all first year students to commit to St. Lawrence’s values of both personal and academic integrity as well as social responsibility, all very important aspects of coexisting within the St. Lawrence campus and community. This ceremony helped make clear the importance of responsibility and the history, traditions, and values that make St. Lawrence so successful which have resulted in creating a loyal group of Laurentians over the years. Personal conduct as well as loyalty was several of the ceremony topics. Speakers included, Thelmo President, Robby Glass ‘13, Rachel Yalowich ’12, Chair of the Academic Honor Council, alum John Pontius ’10, Deena Giltz McCullough ’84, President of the Alumni Executive Council, as well as our very own President William L. Fox ‘75.
This entire ceremony was an idea driven by students who are members of Thelmo and the Academic Honor Council. These groups sought to establish and raise awareness of the Honor Code as well as emphasize the importance of ethical, responsible community. A great amount of support and planning was done with assistance from members of the Philanthropy Task Force. The event was generously funded by a Presidential Innovation Grant.
