Sonya Sexton
Staff Writer
The University held its traditional Convocation Aug. 21 in the Sports Science Athletic Pavilion to welcome students back for the 2024-25 academic year.
This year’s Convocation speakers included the University’s newly appointed interim president Risa Dickson, who set a hopeful tone for the academic year and beyond, and professor of public administration and interim associate provost Suzanne Beaumaster, among others.
Board of Trustees chairman Anthony Revier also spoke, as did Associated Students of the University of La Verne President Julia Thomas, a senior English major.
Thomas said that after attending Convocation since her freshman year she feels she has reached a full circle moment. She reminisced about her freshman year and that convocation, when she was just an audience member.
This is a big year for the University because of the transition of leadership, Thomas said.
She was referring to the surprising turnover in University leadership following the resignation of University President Pardis Mahdavi at the end of spring 2024. Mahdavi served as University president for less than a year.
In some ways this year’s Convocation was a reset.
“Convocation is the time where the campus community is able to come together and connect with one another,” said Veronica Ashcroft, director of events and scheduling.
The event also featured musical performances and the traditional ringing of the spirit bell to ring in the new year.
Sonya Sexton can be reached at sonya.sexton@laverne.edu.
Sonya Sexton is a junior journalism major with a concentration in broadcast journalism, and a transfer from Chaffey College. She is a staff writer for the Campus Times.
Chris Rodriguez is a senior photography major and photo editor of the Campus Times.
