The first step on a new journey

TU holds first virtual Convocation

By Kyle Hobstetter on August 20, 2020

Towson University began its 155th academic year the same way it has done for decades—hosting Convocation for new students. 

But this year’s was a bit different. While TU’s 4,927 incoming students still heard from President Kim Schatzel, Provost Melanie Perreault and other members of the faculty and staff, the event on Aug. 20 took place somewhere new: on students’ computers. 

Due to COVID-19, Convocation was streamed via Towson University’s YouTube channel. Filmed at the Center for the Arts’ Kaplan Hall, the event had limited attendance, with essential staff wearing masks and practicing physical distancing. 

In her opening statement, President Schatzel welcomed the students to their new home. And despite the changes, she reminded them that Convocation is still the official start to their TU journey. 

“We do all of these formalities for you, to give you our warmest greeting wrapped in age-old traditions and welcome you to your university,” President Schatzel said. “While some of the traditions are different to start this academic year, what makes TU great has not changed.

“The opportunities might look different, but they remain the same. And the momentum may look different, but it’s still growing stronger.”

Opportunities were what Dana Kollman, a clinical associate professor in the Department of Sociology, Anthropology & Criminal Justice, took the Convocation stage to address. 

She started by telling the students she wanted to “talk dirty” to them—about myriad real-world experiential opportunities at Towson University that let students dig into their work.  

She described her time as a student at what was then Towson State University at a point when faculty encouraged her to get her hands dirty. It was an experience that led her back to TU and why she felt it was important to address the students at Convocation.

“Towson values pushing students to get their own field experiences, something I deem fundamental to learning,” Kollman says. “While classroom academic instruction is, of course, a priority, TU asks each of us to think about the value of digging in the dirt with experiential learning. 

“As faculty we want more than for you to receive degree status; we want to be the springboard that launches you into a career.”

Vernon Hurte, vice president of student affairs, also talked about opportunities that have been presented to students by the global pandemic. 

“Despite the challenges we’ve all experienced this year, this really is an incredibly exciting time,” Hurte said. “This marks a new beginning that will be filled with opportunities to learn and grow, opportunity to lead and make an impact here at TU, the greater Baltimore community, the nation and even the world.” 

The fall term begins Monday, Aug. 24, with hybrid course delivery, allowing for fully remote learning as well as a combination of in-person and remote learning. At any given time, approximately 85% of instruction will be delivered remotely.

READ MORE: Get an inside look at what to expect from the hybrid model

Deguene Ndiong, president of the Student Government Association, shared that her time at Towson University has been a path of self-discovery.

She challenged her fellow students to keep one goal in the back of their minds: to become the people they have always felt they needed in their lives. 

“Become the leader, the mentor, the friend and even the family member that you always had,” Ndiong said. 

To close the event, members of the Towson University band and chorale shared a prerecorded rendition of the university’s alma mater.

Convocation is just one event during Welcome to TU, the official kickoff for fall term. Students will also meet virtually with advisers and departments on campus. There will be social events, both online and in person, for the 3,000 students living on campus this fall.

For a complete list of Welcome to TU events, check out the Involved@TU website, or download the TU Events app and check out the Welcome To TU guidebook.