Opening Convocation rescheduled for Tuesday at 5 p.m.
Opening Convocation, which was cancelled Friday due to inclement weather, has been rescheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 5, at 5 p.m. The ceremony, which officially opens the academic year, will be held in Courtyard of the Sir Christopher Wren Building.
In a message to faculty, staff and students Monday, Vice President for Student Affairs Sam Sadler said William and Mary alumnus Warren W. Buck (’76) has been able to remain in town through Tuesday and will serve as the keynote speaker. Buck, a prominent physicist, is former chancellor of the University of Washington-Bothell.
Below is the message to the campus community from Vice President Sadler:
“Opening Convocation has been rescheduled for tomorrow, Tuesday, Sept. 5, at 5 p.m. We are fortunate that Dr. Warren Buck, our keynote speaker, was able to rearrange his schedule so that he could be in town through (Tuesday). Unfortunately, even this early in the semester, the schedules of most of us are already quite full. There is no time at which we could now reschedule in a way that would avoid all conflicts. 5 p.m. has been chosen because that hour should not interfere with undergraduate classes nor the bulk of those in our graduate and professional programs, though there are a few classes set for that time, especially in the School of Education. That is most regrettable.
“This program has become such an important tradition for our students, especially the undergraduates, that we felt it was important to continue it and having our invited speaker is an added plus. The weather, however, is not looking promising again. In light of that, and the soggy conditions at the Wren Building, there will not be an academic procession or a reception following the event. Nonetheless, we hope as many of you as can will join us for our Ernesto-delayed Opening Convocation.”
