‘Courage to care:’ Academic year begins with 110th Convocation
In her keynote address at Connecticut College’s 110th Convocation on Aug. 26, Associate Professor of Economics Mónika López-Anuarbe encouraged the College’s newest students and returning sophomores, juniors and seniors to build their communities and impact the world around them with “the courage to care.”
“It is not always easy to care for someone or something. Maybe it is not popular. Perhaps it is time-consuming. It could be exhausting, thankless and unglamorous,” said López-Anuarbe, the winner of Conn’s 2024 John S. King Memorial Teaching Award.
“But even if we are never recognized, we will have character and integrity. Because caring leads to change, and every generation, including yours, has changed seemingly impossible situations when they have cared enough to do so.”
Convocation, which marks the official opening of the academic year, began with a procession into the Athey Center for Performance and Research at Palmer Auditorium. Earlier in the day, the newest Camels, including 458 first-years, 12 transfers and one RTC student, signed the Honor Code Pledge and rang the Castle Court Gong, a tradition that marks the beginning of their collegiate career. They will next ring the gong on the day of their Commencement.
In her remarks, President Andrea E. Chapdelaine stressed the importance of the Conn community’s “core values of equity and inclusivity, shared governance, moral standards, community service, global citizenship and environmental stewardship,” and encouraged students to “celebrate the spirit of curiosity, perseverance and academic excellence that has defined Connecticut College since its founding in 1911.”
