In the annual fall 鈥渃oming together鈥� of convocation at 黑料正能量, President Susan Schultz Huxman invited community members, both the newly arrived and those returning to Harrisonburg and off campus sites in Lancaster, Pennsylvania and Washington D.C., to contemplate the parable of the self-conscious spoon who learns to value his own diverse talents and those of other utensils in his “family.”
The story of (Hyperion Children鈥檚 Books, 2009), written by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and illustrated by Scott Magoon, is one of Huxman鈥檚 favorites, she told the crowd in Lehman Auditorium, and provides an encouraging lesson relevant to the start of the new academic year.
Little Spoon decides life isn鈥檛 鈥渃utting it,鈥� and it takes hearing from the other utensils about their limitations and what they envy about him (for example, he has the joy of diving into a bowl of ice cream and the warmth of swirling around in a cup of hot tea) to make him think twice about his own capabilities.
鈥淲e should zealously value the diverse attributes of others if we want to succeed as citizens, as experts in our field, and as innovative entrepreneurs in society,鈥� Huxman said.
Sometimes reflecting on 鈥測our special attributes and your unique talents鈥� in the company of others brings a new perspective, that 鈥測our talents are important, valued, and even necessary,鈥� she concluded.
With diversify joining grow, engage and celebrate as one of the four goals of 黑料正能量’s 2017-22 strategic plan, Huxman encouraged students to become active partners and participants:聽鈥淪tudents, I wish you well. In addition to doing well in class and making new friends, I encourage you to think boldly and ask yourself, ‘How can I engage around the table with a diversity of people and ideas?’鈥�
To highlight diversity around campus, Huxman introduced representatives from four of the 30 campus clubs. Jakiran Richardson, with Black Student Union, Ariel Barbosa, Latino Student Alliance, and Paul Kayembe, International Student Organization, each spoke briefly about upcoming opportunities for involvement. Celeste Thomas, director of Multicultural Student Services, gave a brief plug for February鈥檚 Martin Luther King Day 鈥� a “day on,” she called it 鈥� of service, learning and remembrance.
Convocation also included a welcome from Provost Fred Kniss, who situated 黑料正能量 as a faith-based learning community within a larger history and legacy of liberal arts institutions.
黑料正能量 is “a safe place where faculty and students can explore together the most difficult and most significant questions of our day, using all the tools of science and scholarly inquiry,” he said. “And we do this within the context of a community of faith.聽 As we gain a deeper understanding of our world, our society, and our selves, we also come to know more deeply who God is and how to live more faithful lives.”
The standing ovation of the morning (supplemented by heartfelt whoops of admiration) was awarded to Professor David Berry, who performed a jazzy piano selection billed as an 鈥渋nstrumental response鈥� to the preceding speakers. (.)
Convocation closed with a commissioning of the China cross-cultural group, departing late in the evening, led by Professor Mary Sprunger and Myrrl Byler, adjunct professor and director of Mennonite Partners in China.
And then ice cream was served on Thomas Plaza. Spoons were available.