On Thursday, Aug. 30, freshmen students, faculty and staff kicked off the 2007-08 academic year with the annual Fall Honor Convocation, held in the Jane P. Batten Student Center.
Dr. Timothy O'Rourke, the new vice president for academic affairs and Kenneth R. Perry Dean of the College, presided over his first honors convocation and while addressing the new students said, "I too, am a bit apprehensive like you because I am also new to Virginia Wesleyan. But Virginia Wesleyan is a place to give you wings for your dreams."
The freshmen students were addressed by several people including Stephanie Kimec '08 of Richmond, Va., who spoke on the importance of honor. "Here at Virginia Wesleyan, the honor code is something that is respected by all," she said.
A double major in religious studies and political science, Kimec stressed the importance of honor, honesty and trust. She told the freshmen that their professors want them to succeed in their journey through College, and that they must assume responsibility for their behavior and act in an honest manner.
"In your journey you will begin to earn the trust and respect of professors," said Kimec. "I hope you're given the opportunity to explore honor in its many forms," she noted.
Concluding Kimec's speech, the Virginia Wesleyan honor code was read to the freshmen students by Kristen Butts '10, a psychology major from Norfolk, Va., and one of six students on the 2007-08 Honors Council. All freshmen signed a card acknowledging their commitment to the honor code.
Before entering College, the Class of 2011 was assigned to read The Last Refuge: Patriotism, Politics, and the Environment in an Age of Terror, by author Dr. David Orr, the Paul Sears Distinguished professor of environmental studies and politics at Oberlin College in Ohio. Orr, the featured speaker at the Fall Honor Convocation, spoke to students about the importance of climate changes and proactive steps they could take to make a difference.
Orr, who led the initiative of constructing the Lewis Center at Oberlin College, the first academic green building powered entirely by solar arrays, showed charts of carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere, weather disasters driven by climate changes and climate anomalies. He explained that severe climate changes will cause global destabilization, resulting in changing ecosystems, rising sea levels, droughts and heat waves.
"What I've discussed today is hard news for you," said Orr. "You have hopes and dreams. But every one of your hopes and dreams will be changed. The issue for your generation is how does our behavior align with future generations that doesn't deny them life, liberty and prosperity," he questioned.
Throughout his speech, Orr encouraged students to be both environmentally friendly and consciousness about the effects of climate change. "We're already committed to substantial warming," he said. "There's no easy way out of this, but there's lots of small solutions that may save us," he noted.
A power point slide listed several "smarter solutions," including becoming more energy-efficient by constructing high performance buildings and curbing the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. All freshmen and faculty members were given insulated cups to re-use around campus as part of the Marlins Go Green campaign, an effort to reduce the College's carbon footprint. Students and faculty who refill their reusable mugs will receive 25% off, or pay $.89 for fountain drinks and/or coffee. These mugs will be for sale for $5 at the Marlin Grille throughout the year.
Concluding his speech, Orr challenged every student to think about their career paths and how they would "fit in" with the issue of global warming and consider how a career could positively or negatively affect the environment and the future of mankind.
"If we lead on this issue," said Orr, "We can help develop solutions in a positive way."
09/05/07