Karina Rodriguez
Sports Editor
The University of La Verne held its annual convocation ceremony on Aug. 20, at the Morgan Auditorium to welcome Leos back into the 2025-2026 school year.
Approximately 150 students, staff and faculty attended the event.
Convocation kicks off the new academic year and brings the University community together.
Students gathered before the event in the University Quad near the University seal for President Risa Dickson’s call to the community and ringing of the spirit bell.
Provost and Vice President of Student Affairs Ken O’Donnell led the convocation ceremony.
“We want to first recognize that as we gather here today at the University, we are on the traditional land of the Tongva people,” O’Donnell began.
“We honor the land itself, and the generations of Tongva people, past and present who have served as its stewards,” O’Donnell said.
Senior psychology major Angelina Alvarez sang the national anthem accompanied by pianist and piano instructor Jason Lo.
University Chaplain Zandra Wagoner led a prayer for the success of the new academic school year. Wagoner then said a prayer for students.
“I invite you to take a moment to bring your full presence here, maybe even take a deep breath, look around, see a few colors, perhaps notice the ground beneath you supporting you,” Wagoner said. “May you be blessed and empowered to bring your full authentic self here, your story, your perspectives, and the wisdom of your own life.”
Instructor of accounting and finance Rick Hasse, the 2025 recipient of the Excellence in Teaching award, also spoke at Convocation.
Hasse spoke about the amount of students in the University of La Verne community.
“A special welcome to our 494 first-year students. Welcome!” Hasse began.
Hasse spoke about the importance of being involved within the University of La Verne community.
“Become an active student at La Verne,” Hasse said. “Question faculty. Question administrators and student leaders.”
“You believe something is wrong?” Hasse said. “Ask why and help to solve the problem. Remember, staff and faculty work for you.”
Dickson spoke about the pillars upon which the University was founded.
“It’s a place that was founded on the principles of justice, peace, and service to the community,” Dickson said. “Today, these values are reflected in the core values of the institution.”
Dickson also spoke about the importance of a college degree in today’s world.
“In a time of rapid change, the values of intellectual resilience and adaptability in lifelong learning have never been more important, and that should be clear to all of us,” Dickson said.
Student speakers included Evan Lyons, president of the Associated Students of the University of La Verne, and Eric Dezevin, president of the graduate and adult student government.
The event seemed to land with the community who attended.
“It just grows our spirit,” Maximiliano Martinez, Junior international business major said. “We are a much smaller school than the schools around us but I feel like we still have a good amount of spirit.”
Junior computer science major Sergio Sandoval, who attended the ceremony, said he was inspired.
“It’s definitely a refreshing restart and will definitely push myself to be involved on campus more every year,” Sandoval said.
Karina Rodriguez can be reached at karina.rodriguez3@laverne.edu
Karina Rodriguez is a senior journalism major with a concentration in broadcast journalism, and editor-in-chief of the Campus Times. She has previously served as sports editor, social media editor, arts editor and a staff writer.
Mia Byington is a senior photography major with a minor in marketing. She is a staff photographer for the Campus Times and La Verne Magazine.
