IC News

Members of the Ithaca College Class of 2025 formally embarked upon their IC experience on Wednesday, August 18, during Convocation, marking the start of the 2021-22 academic year.

The ceremony welcomed nearly 1,300 first-year and transfer students to Glazer Arena in the Athletics and Events Center. Members of the college’s faculty, staff and administration were there to show support to the students who were taking their first steps in their journey at IC.

A lively atmosphere was apparent from the start, punctuated by a performance by the college’s African Drum and Dance Ensemble.

Provost and Executive Vice President La Jerne Terry Cornish made the first remarks of the day, highlighting this year’s Convocation theme of “What Does it Mean to be in Community?” by noting the diversity represented by this collection of students.

“The Ithaca College community, like every other community around the world, is populated by a beautiful, wonderful, array of people, each bringing their individual personalities, prejudices and biases,” she said. “It is our collective responsibility, as citizens of this community and as citizens of the world, to understand and recognize these differences - but not judge anyone for them, not disenfranchise anyone for them and not discriminate against anyone for them.”

Cornish also reminded the students that they had the ability to inspire and embolden each other.

“Imagine for one moment that each person in this room has something to teach you, to give you, to help you,” she said. “And now imagine for a moment that you have something to teach, to give, and to help in return. As we begin this journey with you, we look forward to seeing what you will teach, what you will give, what you will share as we work together to inspire bold thinking for the global good.”

Cornish, who on Monday, August 30, will assume the interim presidency of Ithaca College for the academic year, then introduced President Shirley M. Collado, who will serve as senior advisor to Cornish and the board of trustees until December 31, her final day at IC before continuing her life’s work in higher education as president and chief executive officer of the comprehensive college completion program College Track.

President Collado addressed the transition in her remarks.

“Although my heart is both full and heavy, I could not be more excited that Provost Cornish will be leading Ithaca College as interim president for this academic year,” she said. “The board has expressed full confidence in her extraordinary leadership, and I want you to know how honored I have been to work alongside her since she arrived in July of 2018. She has been an incredible partner in the leadership team and is really the chief architect of our plan ‘Ithaca Forever,’ which is well underway, and we’re not going to miss a beat as Provost Cornish said, on our mission to become a global destination for bold thinkers.”

Collado also expressed gratitude for being able to share the moment in time with the gathered students, who hail from 49 states and 28 countries, and 250 of whom are first-generation college students.

“I feel enormous privilege to be here with all of you in this space,” she said. “For us to be here together as a college community, living and thriving at a time that holds so much uncertainty for our nation, and our local and global communities, now more than ever, this is a moment where we must value our shared humanity and our shared planet.”

Collado also shared her excitement for what the class has in store for the college.

“Here, you will ignite your imagination, activate your passions and become the person you have always wanted to be,” she said.

Reflecting on the strength of the tight-knit nature of the IC community, Collado then shared the stories of several staff members and students who were invited to the stage, highlighting their unique backgrounds and interests, and thanking them for making the college a better place.

“People have their roles and jobs here, but there are so many other aspects to their life and what they will bring to your life as students here at Ithaca,” she said.

After a short piece performed by four students in the School of Music, the next remarks of the ceremony came from Deontae Guy ’23, president of the Student Governance Council, who encouraged the students to step out of their comfort zone, while emphasizing that it won’t be a journey they make alone.

“I challenge, and if I may, charge you to welcome the unknown,” he said. “Take the time to break the limitations of your mind and take a chance on yourself. Look to your left and right. Know that you can walk into the unknown, because someone will take that walk with, in front, and behind you.”

Guy’s remarks resonated with Danasha Zarate ’25, a business administration major. “I liked hearing from a current student,” she said. “It made me feel like I was getting an honest take. I’m nervous and excited, like how you feel at the top of a big roller coaster. You feel a bit scared, but you still want to be on it.”

Ellie Berry ’25, a stage management major, came away from the ceremony feeling the very sense of connection and community mentioned by several speakers.

“I got emotional hearing that we would never be alone,” she said. “Even if we feel alone at times, we’ll have so many people around us, giving that support.”