Convocations

Fall 2024 Convocations

 

Students who attend 12 Convocations in one academic year will have one hour of “A” figured into their grade point average and noted on their transcript, thereby boosting their GPA.

Students who do not attend 12 Convocations will remain unaffected.

 

For more information on the Convocation policy, please refer to the bottom of this page

 or reach out to the Convocation Manager, Erika Sengstack (erika.sengstack@centre.edu).

 

For reminders about upcoming events, check this page or follow on Instagram (@centreconvocations).

 

 

Tips, Tricks, and FAQ’s

 

  • Time Management: Plan your Convo schedule at the beginning of the term when the calendar goes out – and remember to double-check the details before the event to be sure nothing has changed.
  • Event Details: sometimes they change, so be sure to check the Convo page on Centrenet or follow @centreconvocations on Instagram for the most up-to-date information.
  • Arrive early- If you think the Convocation might reach capacity, arrive early to secure your seat.
  • Can I arrive late? No. Convocation Workers are instructed to stop scanning as soon as the event begins.
  • How do I know I’ve scanned in? When scanning your student ID, your photo should display with a green background; a red background indicates an invalid scan. 
  • I didn’t get my credit!! Any discrepancies in credit should be communicated to the Convocation Manager, Erika Sengstack, as soon as possible. To receive credit after an event, you will need a faculty/staff member to verify your attendance. 

 

 

 

The Norton Center Series

 

Student Tickets

 

The Norton Center reserves a number of Centre student tickets, based on availability, to all shows as part of the student comprehensive fee.  Most performances are available at no additional charge, based on a voucher system as further explained below.  For performances where free student tickets are not offered, a special ticket price for Centre students may be offered.  All student tickets will be marked as such and are non-transferable.

 

ADVANCE OF THE SHOW:  The Norton Center Box Office is open Monday-Friday, 9 AM – 4 PM.  Student vouchers are distributed approximately three weeks before each performance on a first-come, first-served basis, at the box office during normal business hours and are non-transferable.  Email communication will be sent to notify students of the designated voucher pickup dates.  Students are required to have a voucher/ticket for any Norton Center performance which is also a convocation, so please plan accordingly.

 

NIGHT OF THE SHOW:  Vouchers MUST be exchanged for a ticket on the night of an event.  Students must present their voucher and their Centre College Student I.D. to receive a performance ticket.  Only one (1) ticket will be released per student.  Vouchers may be redeemed starting one hour before the performance, but no later than 15 minutes before the performance, otherwise, a student may forfeit their seat.  Students who do not pick up a voucher during the designated time may request a performance ticket the night of a performance, but are not guaranteed a seat, and may not be seated until 15 minutes before curtain, depending on availability.

 

Norton Center Series performances are public events with audience members that include Centre faculty and staff, public officials, community leaders, parents, prospective students with their families, donors, and community members who have paid full ticket prices to participate.  Students should represent Centre College with high esteem by dressing appropriately; not texting, using an electronic device, chewing gum or talking during a program; not entering or exiting the theatre or clapping at incorrect times; sitting in their assigned seat; and respecting those around them.  Inappropriate behavior could result in immediate removal from an event, loss of Convocation credit and/or a student’s not being welcome to attend future Norton Center events.

 

Upcoming Convocations:

 

 

Finding Your Roots: A Conversation with Henry Louis Gates (D&I)

Tuesday, October 8, 2024 | 7:30pm - Newlin Hall (open to the public)

 

Dive deep into the past and build connections to the present during this very special evening with scholar and Emmy-Award-winning filmmaker Henry Louis Gates, Jr. Based on his groundbreaking PBS series, Finding Your Roots, Professor Gates will share insights from his influential series about genealogy, genetics and history’s impact on our lives today. Program followed by a Q&A session. Endowed by philanthropist Lucille Caudill Little, the Press Distinguished Lecture Series brings notable speakers who have improved our nation’s civic and cultural life to Centre College. The series was named in honor of late Kentucky civic leaders O. Leonard Press, founding director of Kentucky Educational Television, and Lillian Press, founding director of the Kentucky Governor’s Scholars Program.

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How We Did It! Reading the Herculaneum Scrolls Without Opening Them

Thursday, October 10, 2024 | 7:30pm – Young 113 (open to the public)

 

In this talk, Dr. Brent Seales, the Stanley and Karen Pigman Chair of Heritage Science at the University of Kentucky, will discuss his 20 years of work developing a method to visualize and interpret severely damaged manuscripts that cannot physically be opened. Most recently, his method of digital unwrapping was used to recover the words of one of the Herculaneum scrolls, revealing a previously unknown Epicurean manuscript. Preserved under the ash of Mount Vesuvius in 79 CE, the Herculaneum scrolls offer a rare glimpse into the ancient world. His method integrates machine learning, digital imaging, and high speed physics, offering a non-invasive path for preserving other fragile artifacts. His work have been featured prominently in Scientific American, highlighting the global significance and impact of his research. (See https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/inside-the-ai-competition-that-decoded-an-ancient-scroll-and-changed/)

 

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Cirque Kalabante: Afrique en Cirque (D&I)

Friday, October 11, 2024 | 7:30pm – Newlin Hall (open to the public)

 

Where cirque meets live percussion and music, this performance is a vibrant spectacle inspired by daily life in Guinea, sharing the beauty, youth, and artistry of African culture. A colorful show beyond its scenery, costumes, and staging, it makes any theatre vibrate with energy and represents the strength, agility, and life joys of young Africans. The audience will see acrobats execute gravity-defying moves and human pyramids, accompanied by the contemporary sounds of live Afro-Jazz, percussion, and kora. Get ready for an unforgettable journey!

 

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The Language of Love in South Asia; Muslims, Hindus, and Translation (D&I)

Monday, October 21, 2024 | 7pm – Young 113 (open to the public)

 

In this talk, Dr. Francesca Chubb-Confer, Visiting Assistant Professor at Oberlin College, will focus on the complicated dynamics between Muslim and Hindu communities in India focusing on the language of love in two early modern “Hindu” and “Muslim” texts, contemporary Bollywood cinema and religious nationalism. With the rise of Hindu nationalism and anti-Muslim rhetoric in India, this talk helps complicate the categories "Hindu" and "Muslim" and their histories. The talk will think through the complex and intersecting nature of religion, literature, and the power to include or exclude.

 

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Uniting Justice and Freedom: The ACLU’s Mission in a Divided America (D&I)

Tuesday, October 22, 2024 | 7pm – Young 113 (open to the public)

 

What happens when the pursuit of justice collides with the protection of individual freedoms? Amber Duke, Executive Director of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Kentucky, joins us for National Free Speech Week to delve into the complex interplay between the protection of civil liberties and advancement of social justice.

How does the ACLU navigate this apparent tension, ensuring that the push for societal progress does not come at the cost of freedoms that underpin our democracy? Through an examination of its past and present work, Duke will address how the ACLU strives to protect individual freedoms while also addressing the urgent demands for societal progress.

As part of the Citizen Power Tools series, Duke introduces advocacy and activism as one of many empowering forms of democratic engagement.

 

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Musicians Showcase – Fall Concert

Sunday, October 27, 2024 | 4pm – Newlin Hall (open to the public)

 

The Music Program presents a variety of Centre student musicians, ensembles, and singers as they come together to showcase their wide range of talents.

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Navigating Global Opportunities: Business in China (D&I)

Monday, November 4, 2024 | 7pm – Young 113 (open to the public)

 

What is it like to live and work in China? How does one navigate politics and cultural differences to thrive in an international environment? Come learn from two distinguished business professionals with decades of experience in China. Benjamin Coffin, Vice President of Human Resources at Honeywell, spent 14 years working in the Greater China region in executive recruitment, sales, and general management for local Chinese and multinational organizations. OT Benson, President Americas at Joyson Safety Systems, has 20 years of experience in the automotive industry, primarily within Procurement, SCM, Sales, and Operations, in addition to 8 years of active-duty service in the United States Air Force. Both Coffin and Benson launched their careers in China while participating in the first cohort of the National Chinese Language Flagship Program. This conversation will be moderated by another member of their cohort, Dr. Mei Li Inouye, Assistant Professor of Chinese at Centre College.

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Centre Symphony Orchestra – Fall Concert

Tuesday, November 5, 2024 | 7:30pm – Newlin Hall (open to the public)

 

The Centre Symphony Orchestra is a staple of the Centre experience, and a truly impressive performance to behold. It's comprised of Centre students, along with a sprinkling of professional guest artists, and conducted by our very own Dr. Robert Seebacher.

 

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Building Bridges and Community Day 
Thursday, November 7, 2024 | 12:00pm – 5:00pm, various campus locations (NOT open to the public)

 

This campus-wide event is focused on creating intentional opportunities for us to better understand the wonderful variety of voices and perspectives represented by the nearly 2,000 people who make up our lively and energetic campus.  Since its inception, Building Bridges and Community Day has helped foster inclusion and a sense of belonging across campus.  Classes are offered on a truncated schedule and campus offices close early for the event. The offerings feature inclusivity training, sharing forums and discussions about differences in perspective, as well as “bridge,” events or spaces where people are invited to engage while learning a skill. 

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Last Out: Elegy of a Green Beret (D&I)

Friday, November 8, 2024 | 7:30pm – Newlin Hall (open to the public)

 

In this theatrical production, U.S. Army Green Beret Danny Patton is a modern-day warrior fighting battles that range from Afghanistan to his own living room. As the corrosive gears of war begin to rip apart his family, his integrity, and his soul, Danny is thrust into his final, eternal mission. On the other side, with Valhalla beckoning, he discovers that combat can be fueled by vengeance or by love… it just depends on which price you are willing to pay. Based on true stories, Last Out: Elegy of a Green Beret explores the many sacrifices soldiers make to protect our country’s freedoms. Please note that this performance includes strong language, loud noises, and themes/depictions of war.

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The Religion of Reproductive Rights Claims (D&I)

Monday, November 11, 2024 | 7:00pm – Young 113 (open to the public)

 

The Religion of Reproductive Rights Claims will explore the Jewish Fight to Legalize Abortion as a contemporary case study. In the months leading up to the U.S. Supreme Court overturning of Roe vs. Wade, pro-choice Jewish advocates claimed that “abortion bans are against our religion.” In this talk, Michal Raucher will examine what that statement means, what it’s trying to do, and how it fails to fully capture the Jewish communal conversation around abortion. Drawing on the lived experiences of Jewish women who have had abortions, she offers a new vision of what Jewish pro-choice activism could look like. By centering individual agency and moral values over strict adherence to ancient texts, Jewish activists and other religious groups might mobilize their religious commitments and traditions to better align with the broader principles of reproductive justice and religious freedom in contemporary society.

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Hamlet – Theatre at Centre

Wednesday – Saturday, November 13-16, 2024 | 7:30pm – Weisiger Theatre (open to the public)

 

Come see this bold new staging of Shakespeare’s most famous play.

See these “words, words, words” come to life before your eyes.

See Hamlet “hold the mirror up to nature” and discover the rot and beauty within.

*Seating will be limited for this production, and it will run approximately 3 hours with one intermission.

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Palestine and Germany Today: Activism and Resilience (D&I)

Sunday, November 17, 2024 | 1pm – Ewen Room (open to the public)

 

Palestinian voices in Germany are often marginalized, misrepresented, or silenced in mainstream discourse, perpetuating misconceptions, and contributing to the perpetuation of injustices. This has become more acute recently. In the wake of the October 7th, Hamas attack on Israel, the voices of Palestinian artists and activists have been silenced and canceled. The event is part of the film series "Voices of Resilience: Palestine in the GDR and Germany Today" and showcases Palestine's rich cultural tapestry, enduring resilience, and diasporic roots in Germany. The event will host various actors in the German activist scene including Salahdin Said who is the face of the Palestinian protest movement in Berlin.

 

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Portraits of Poverty: Ways Poverty Affects Different Populations (D&I)

Tuesday, November 19, 2024 | 7pm – Young 113 (open to the public)

 

Poverty does not affect people uniformly. Children and the elderly experience poverty in very different ways, for instance. Therefore, alleviating the impact of poverty for different groups of people often requires customized strategies and tactics. Rev. Mark Howell will discuss the various ways his organization works to lessen the burden of poverty. Rev. Howell will also talk about how the community ministry collaborative model that exists in Louisville greatly enhances the effectiveness of his organization and others to address poverty. Rev. Howell has served as Executive Director of United Crescent Hill Ministries for nearly a decade and has worked in social services agencies offering assistance to the impoverished for over two decades. Howell holds a Master of Divinity degree from Princeton Theological Seminary and a Master of Social Work from Hunter College at City University of New York.

 

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Kentucky Contemporary Ensemble

Monday, November 19, 2024 | 7pm – Combs Warehouse (open to the public)

 

The Kentucky Contemporary Ensembles jams out to music from 1950 to the present with connections to the traditions stemming from Kentucky and the American South, ranging from country to blues, to soul, to pop and beyond.

 

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Centre Choirs – Fall Concert

Wednesday, November 20, 2024 | 7:30pm – Newlin Hall (open to the public)

 

This performance features Centre Singers, an auditioned group of highly refined singers, and College Choir, a diverse, large, and talented group of students, staff/faculty, and community members. Both groups sing a variety of songs, both classical and contemporary, conducted by Dr. Johann Van Niekerk.

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Kentucky Music Ensemble

Monday, November 21, 2024 | 7pm – Combs Warehouse (open to the public)

 

This acoustic band, comprised of Centre student musicians, explores the ballad-singing and string-band traditions of the Appalachians, the bluegrass tradition of Central Kentucky, and more recent music inspired by these traditions.

 

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Centre Fusion and African Drum Ensembles

Monday, December 9, 2024 | 7pm – Weisiger Theatre (open to the public)

 

Centre's Music Program encourages students to participate in various ensembles, two of which are Centre Fusion and African Percussion. This concert is a fun, vibrant, culturally exuberant, energized night where students show off their percussive talents for the Centre community, as well as the Danville community at large.

 

 

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2024 - 2025 DEADLINES:
  • Fall '24 Early Review: Friday May 3, 2024 @ 12pm
  • Fall '24 Regular Review: Friday, September 6, 2024 @ 12pm
  • CentreTerm '25 Regular Review: Friday, December 6, 2024 @ 12pm
  • Spring '25 Early Review: Friday, December 6, 2024 @ 12pm
  • Spring '25 Regular Review: Friday, January 31, 2025 @ 12pm 
  •  
 

Questions regarding convocations can be directed to Erika Sengstack, 859.238.5424.

Important Info for Students, Staff, and Faculty

 

 

 

Academic Policy

ALL full-time students who attend Centre for the entire academic year can earn a total of 12 convocation credits. Students who fulfill the requirement have one hour of ‘A’ figured into their grade point average and noted on their transcript. There will be no penalty if students do not attend convocations, although some faculty may assign them as part of their curriculum. Students who are not enrolled on a full-time basis for the full academic year still may complete the requirement by accumulating 12 credits. (NOTE: Convocation credits are not credit hours and do not count toward the 110 credit hours necessary for graduation.)

Students may submit a written appeal to the Convocation Committee Chair if extenuating circumstances may affect their ability to complete the convocation requirement. The petition must explain all the circumstances of why the student did not fulfill the 12 credit requirement. This appeal must be submitted by the last day of classes, to allow time for consideration before final grades are due. (NOTE: Appeals will rarely be approved, as there is no penalty if a student does not earn 12 credits.)

Students are required to follow the letter of the policy and be very careful about monitoring convocation credit.

 

Convocation Expectations

Students who abuse the system by swiping a card for a person who is not present, swiping multiple cards, or by behaving in violation of stated policy will lose convocation credit. Such deceit is considered a serious violation of academic honesty and the people involved are subject to disciplinary action by the Associate Dean or the Student Judiciary.  

As members of an audience, students are expected to be attentive and demonstrate mature, polite, and civil behavior. Computers and books should not be brought to convocations and cell phones should be turned off during the presentation. Students exhibiting inappropriate behavior will be told to leave by members of the audience, faculty, staff, or student convocation workers and will not receive convocation credit.

Convocation Credit System

To receive convocation credit, students must:

  • 1) scan their own Centre College ID card at a convocation station; 

  • 2) be seated before the program begins; 

  • 3) remain present throughout the full program; 

  • 4) scan their own Centre College ID card before leaving the event. 

Convo credit can only be given if ID cards are accurately scanned in and scanned out. Student ID cards may need to be replaced in the Student Life Office if the card does not register in the computer system. It is the student’s responsibility to bring Centre ID cards to convocations and to make sure the card scans accurately. This policy will be strictly enforced, and convocation credit will not be given to students who arrive late or who leave early or whose cards do not work in the convocation system. 

Students participating onstage or working backstage at an event can receive convocation credit if their supervisor (a faculty or staff member) sends a list of participants to the Convocation Manager, Erika Sengstack (ext. 5424).

Most events given convocation status are worth one credit.

Special events designated as campus-wide convocations are worth two credits.  Normally, Opening and Honors convocations are worth 2 credits.

Convocation Credit is entered and maintained by computer.  Students may check their convocation credit status by going to CentreNet, selecting the “Academic” tab, clicking “Academic Affairs,” then choosing “Convocations” and “Convocation Credits” from the drop down menus on the right side of the page. The individual student is responsible for verifying the online record’s accuracy and for notifying the Convocation Manager, Erika Sengstack, within one week of the convocation in question if there is a discrepancy. Students are urged to check their convocation credits frequently throughout the academic year. Students are encouraged NOT to wait until the end of the year to attempt to obtain the required 12 credits.

 

Convocation Credit Abroad

Students participating in Centre sponsored off-campus study programs receive convocation credit as follows:
• Fall term: 6 credits

• CentreTerm: 1 credit

• Spring Term: 6 credits

Students who participate in off-campus internships or non-Centre study abroad programs may petition the Convocation Committee for convocation credit. The Convocation Committee will consider such requests on a case-by-case basis.

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