Elizabethtown College held Convocation on Tuesday, Aug. 27 to officially kick-off the start of the 2019-20 academic year. President Cecilia M. McCormick, J.D. addressed the newest students at E-town, the members of the Class of 2023, sharing her own sentiment on participating in their first Convocation at the College together. She also encouraged students to find their passions as they pursue their goals at the college.

“Life is a gift,” President McCormick said. “Make sure you take the time to unwrap the ribbons and find your passion.”

During the ceremony, the Class of 2023 was celebrated and recognized as a group. The following describes the class:

  • First-year students come from nine states and two countries.
  • Approximately 48 students are carrying on the family tradition of enrolling at E-town.
  • Thirty-two percent of the class are first-generation students.
  • Twenty-seven percent were members of National Honor Society.
  • There are seven Stamps Scholars–tied for the largest number in our College’s history.
  • Eighty members of the class have joined the College’s Honors program.
  • Involvement in the Arts: 39 percent.
  • Involvement in Athletics: 61 percent.
  • Thirty-seven students were involved in Student Government with 7 members serving as their class president.
  • More than half of the class (56 percent) were active in community service projects and/or organizations.

Also recognized at Convocation were faculty members who have been promoted and/or tenured (listed below) effective in the 2019-20 academic year as well as faculty award winners of the Kreider Prize for Teaching Excellence, the Ranck Prize for Research Excellence and the Polanowski Prize for Advising and Mentorship.

Faculty Award Recipients:

  • Ranck Prize for Research Excellence – professor Douglas Bomberger
  • Kreider Prize for Teaching Excellence – professor Michele Kozimor
  • Polanowski Prize for Advising and Mentorship – professor Anya Goldina

Faculty Promotions: 

  • Kerri Hample — promoted to associate professor of occupational therapy
  • Kristi Arnold — promoted to associate professor of art and tenured
  • Anne Gross — promoted to associate professor of music and tenured
  • James MacKay — promoted to professor of chemistry
  • Oya Ozkanca — promoted to professor of political science
  • Daniel Panchik — promoted to professor of occupational therapy
  • Patricia Ricci — promoted to professor of fine art

After the ceremony, students signed the College’s “Pledge of Integrity” and celebrated the beginning of the year with an all-campus picnic.