Class of 2027 Called to Cultivate Curiosity

By Grace Collins '22, August 25, 2023

Convocation officially commences the 2023-24 academic year.

Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Melanie Stein addressed approximately 1,300 students at Convocation, urging them to be curious and inquisitive.

(Photo by Dave Burbank '82)

Some 1,300 first-year and transfer students streamed into the Athletics and Events Center Tuesday, parading through long lines of applauding faculty and staff there to usher in the start of their collegiate journey on Tuesday, August 22. A long-standing IC tradition, the procession officially marked the beginning of their collegiate journeys as they arrived for the 2023 Convocation ceremony.

Members of the campus community were there to celebrate the Class of 2027 and impart encouragement and words of wisdom before the academic year began. Led by the African Drumming and Dance ensemble, the platform party, which included college marshal Barbara Adams, faculty marshal Hugh Egan, staff marshal Tina Thurston, and trustee marshal Patrice Pastore, made their way into Glazer Arena along with the students.

“Be curious about all the new people around you and ask questions instead of making assumptions. They have a lot to teach you, and the more open you are to asking questions and seeking to understand the lives and experiences of others, the richer your life and your sense of being a part of our community will be.”

Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Melanie Stein

In her opening remarks, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Melanie Stein noted that President La Jerne Terry Cornish was unable to participate after testing positive for Covid-19. Stein then shared her hopes for students over the coming years. Speaking to the importance of approaching life with a sense of curiosity and inquisitiveness, she encouraged students to not only be intellectually curious, but to also be interpersonally curious.

Board of Trustees member Jack Dembow '77 spoke about the importance of nurturing connections with others on campus. (Photo by Dave Burbank '82)

“You are also joining a new community, full of people who are unfamiliar to you, and I urge you to be curious about everyone you meet,” Stein said. “Be curious about all the new people around you and ask questions instead of making assumptions. They have a lot to teach you, and the more open you are to asking questions and seeking to understand the lives and experiences of others, the richer your life and your sense of being a part of our community will be.”

She then introduced Jack Dembow ’77, a member of the Board of Trustees. Dembow reflected on his time at Ithaca College, sharing insights into the lessons he learned and relationships he made. He said that after 18 years of trying to fit in, IC helped him stand out.

“When I was 18 years old, I knew I was gay. Would I find people like me? Would I find people who liked me?” Dembow remembered wondering.

“You will meet people like you, and you will meet people who like you. And many of them will remain in your lives, at least in my case, for over 50 years,” he said.

Dean of Students Marsha Dawson was next to address the crowd. In reflecting on a conversation with her young nephew where she was continually asked, “why?” the theme of cultivating curiosity and questioning everything continued. She urged incoming students to step into this new phase of their lives with a childlike curiosity, always searching for answers to life’s big questions.

“You’re in college now,” she said. “Gone are the days of ‘do this because I said so.’ There’s always a why, always a reason. We want you to be critical thinkers and ask why.”

Matthew Clauhs, associate professor of music education (top left); Student Governance Council president Carli McConnell ’24 (bottom left); and Dean of Students Marsha Dawson, also addressed the crowd.

(Photos by Dave Burbank '82)

She also shared words of encouragement, reinforcing her faith in the Class of 2027 and their ability to cultivate curiosity.

“College is the widening of the boundaries and the reimagining of what’s possible. You are what is possible,” Dawson said. “You are what is so great about this place. You are our IC Legacy.”

Matthew Clauhs, associate professor of music education, was selected as the 2023 faculty speaker. In his remarks, he discussed how college is the time to pursue more than academic achievement — it’s the time to fuel curiosity and innovation.

To demonstrate this, he shared the story of Alexa Chalnick ’23. Chalnick, who changed her major twice during her first year at IC, turned to TikTok to explore her passion for songwriting. In doing so, she gained over one million followers and has collaborated with prolific musicians like rapper Lil Nas X.

“In your time here, you’ll encounter a rich diversity of subjects, perspectives, and people. Embrace this diversity with an open and curious mind. Cultivate the habit of listening to voices that differ from your own.”

Matthew Clauhs, associate professor of music education

Student Governance Council president Carli McConnell ’24 then offered her perspective as a current student, urging the audience to take smart risks and invest in themselves.

“If you are curious about something, take a risk on it, learn more about it, and if you end up hating it, move on. At the very least you can say that you tried,” McConnell said. “Truthfully, you never know, something you might try just once may become your greatest passion in life. Do not leave any room for regrets in any part of your life, especially during this new time.”

Members of the Class of 2027 were excited to kick off their academic journey on the South Hill.

(Photos by Dave Burbank '82)

The ceremony concluded with McConnell instructing the students to affix a ceremonial pin. Given to each incoming student, the pin was designed by IC staff, faculty, and students who “know that great things will come from the Class of 2027.”

Following the singing of the alma mater by students from the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance, community members gathered for a picnic to connect with one another and celebrate the start of another academic year. Students, faculty, and staff were also invited to join Daniel Gwirtzman, assistant professor of theatre and dance performance, for a “Dancing on The Green” community dance event on the adjacent Higgins Field.

After Convocation ended, students, faculty, and staff took part in a “Dancing on The Green” community dance event led by Daniel Gwirtzman, assistant professor of theatre and dance performance (front, in green) (Photo by Dave Burbank '82)

First-year student Sander Sheehy Markley said that the convocation ceremony served as a nice transition into classes beginning the next day.

“It was really interesting to have that introduction to the school,” Sheehy Markley said. “It was more of a moment than just going to class tomorrow.”

“I liked hearing from people who went here like Jack [Dembow] and Carli [McConnell], and learning about their experiences and where they ended up,” added Camilla Mischka.

Sheehy Markley and Mischka came to IC after graduating from the same high school in Westchester, New York, and the two have become fast friends with people living in their respective residence halls.

“I really love the community here,” Mischka said.

Augustine Daudu came to Ithaca College from Argentina.

“I came to IC because I loved the programs, all the equipment that IC has, and all the opportunities,” she said. “I liked getting to hear from other students today; it was encouraging. I’m excited to get to know more people and start classes.”

If you missed the 2023 Ithaca College Convocation, you can watch the entire ceremony by clicking the video link above.