Convocation Chapel heralds new academic year

Gady Youmans carries the Division of Social and Behavioral Sciences flag in the Convocation processional August 31 in Saliba Chapel. (Photos by Raymond Minks)

By Kelley M. Arnold

Director of News and Information

MOUNT VERNON – Brewton-Parker College students, faculty and staff celebrated the beginning of a new academic year with a special chapel service Aug. 31 in Saliba Chapel, Convocation. 2010-2011 marks the 106th academic year of the four-year liberal arts Christian college, formerly a high school and a two-year college.

Faculty Marshall, Dr. Mariam George, biology professor, brings order to the Convocation ceremony, announcing the beginning of the proceedings. Convocation welcomes the new academic year.

Dr. David R. Smith, BPC president, addressed the students, encouraging them to make the most of the coming year – and to not only learn but to “lean” on the college administrators, faculty, staff and even their peers for support and “heavenly love”.

“Live a life worthy of the Lord,” encouraged Dr. Smith. “God has blessed us with magnificent potential and opportunity. Learn to lean on what you know of God. You lean while you are here; we all need support and encouragement.”

Convocation is a unique academic ceremony featuring a processional of each of the college’s academic divisions and faculty members, led by Faculty Marshall Dr. Mariam George, biology professor. Each division was represented in the processional by a high achieving student, who carried the respective division’s “colors”, or flag. The students and their honored divisional flag are as follows: Jonathan D’Andrew Brown, Brewton-Parker College; Arts and Letters, Amanda Lott; Business, Tim Jickell; Education, Marissa Brown; Library, Anad Dave, Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Ronteria Redding; Religion and Philosophy, Joseph Jones and Social and Behavioral Sciences, Gady Youmans.

Dr. David R. Smith, BPC president, addresses the Brewton-Parker College student body, faculty, staff and administration at Convocation 2010 in Saliba Chapel.

Student Government Association President gave the invocation and international student, Emmanuel Mejabi from Nigeria, gave the benediction. Dr. Glenn Eernisse led the students in the congregational hymn, “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing”, and the Alma Mater.

Brewton-Parker College is the only accredited four-year Christian college in south Georgia. The college offers bachelor’s and associate’s degrees at its main campus in Mount Vernon and external learning site in Newnan.

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