Convocation Calendar - Centre Term & Spring 2026
(information is subject to change - visit
this site frequently for the most up-to-date information)
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
CentreNet (Academic Affairs > Convocations) or the Convocation Manager, Katie Murphy (katie.murphy@centre.edu).
For reminders about upcoming events, check the Convocations Page on CentreNet or follow on Instagram (@centreconvocations).
Nathan Metzler Performance
Friday, January 16, 2026 | 7:30pm – Weisiger Theatre
Winner of the 2023 Concert Artists Guild Competition and major prizewinner at the Sibelius and Singapore International Violin Competitions, this Juilliard graduate has performed worldwide–from major orchestras in Europe and the United States to intimate chamber settings and festivals. The evening’s program spans over a century of violin music, from elegant Romanticism to contemporary soundscapes. Poulenc’s dramatic 1943 Sonata opens the evening, followed by earthmaker, a unique 2020 composition by inti figgis-vizueta, and Szymanowski’s dreamy, impressionistic Mythes (1915). The charming and narrative Petite Suite de Concert and selections from Fauré’s expressive and refined second violin Sonata round out the program.
Martin Luther King Jr Award Ceremony
Monday, January 19, 2026 | 12:00pm – Newlin Hall
The 2026 Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration at Centre College is a collaborative and community-centered event that honors the life, leadership, and enduring influence of Dr. King. This year’s program brings together the Centre campus, the City of Danville, Boyle County schools, faith communities, and local organizations for a unified day of reflection, learning, and inspiration. The celebration will feature keynote speaker Leon T. Williams, whose powerful storytelling and message of hope challenge audiences to confront injustice, pursue reconciliation, and imagine a world rooted in equity and humanity. Framed by the theme Mission Possible 2, this event invites all participants to consider what is possible when we engage across communities, center courage, and commit to collective action. The day includes an opening gathering in Newlin Hall, interactive engagements, collaborative learning sessions, and shared moments of dialogue designed to deepen understanding and inspire personal and communal transformation. This event is free and open to the public, ensuring broad access for all members of the Centre, Danville, and Boyle County communities.
Macbitches
Thursday, February 12 – Saturday, February 15, 2026 | 7:30pm – Weisiger Theatre
Saturday, February 16, 2026 | 2:00pm – Weisiger Theatre
Written by Sophie McIntosh, directed by Dr. Jen Goff.
$10 General Admission, $5 Seniors, FREE to Centre Affiliates.
“What’s done cannot be undone” When a freshman acting major is unexpectedly cast as Lady Macbeth, a few upperclassmen invite her over to celebrate. As the Fireball and Svedka flow, the girls interrogate their own sense of ambition as well as the power structures that have shaped their education. Content notifications: some mild language
An Evening with Ira Glass & Jad Abumrad
Saturday, February 21, 2026 | 7:30pm – Newlin Hall
AN EVENING WITH THE CREATORS OF THIS AMERICAN LIFE AND RADIOLAB It’s a public radio dream event when two of the most iconic national public radio hosts, Ira Glass (This American Life) and Jad Abumrad (Radiolab), come together to take you on a journey of insight, investigation and humanity in a way that only they can. Join these public radio luminaries for a live onstage event – layered with cinematic video, audio clips, original music composition and their unique voices – as they take us on a journey through their careers in audio journalism and podcasting!
Imagine Infinite Energy: The Ethics of Fossil-Fuel and Renewable Energy
Wednesday, February 25, 2026 | 7:00pm – Vahlkamp Theatre
Although energy is abundant in nature only a very small amount of it is harnessed to power human societies. The availability of this energy has had enormous impact on culture and politics. But if we imagine accessing the infinite energy provided by the sun or clean fusion power, it becomes clear that a just transition from fossil-fuel to renewable energy cannot focus on availability and access alone. Lithium mining for batteries, land grabs for solar and wind fields, transition justice for coal communities, and the growth of data centers are all serious ethical challenges to overcome. How can an energy democracy framework help secure a just transition? This event is part of a multi-day visit co-sponsored by Centre College and the University of Kentucky's Tracy Farmer Center for Sustainability & The Environment. Dr. Godoy is Associate Professor of Philosophy at Illinois State University. He specializes in environmental, moral, and social-political philosophy. He has recently published on energy democracy, dinosaur films, urban park design, trophy hunting dentists. His collaborative, transdisciplinary research has been cited by the IPCC. Other venues for his work include Ethics Policy & Environment, Environmental Ethics, The Journal of Cleaner Production, and The New York Times.
Louisville Orchestra – In Harmony – The Commonwealth Tour
Friday, February 27, 2026 | 7:30pm – Newlin Hall
Great Stories Season Guide Louisville Orchestra February 27, 2026 | 7:30 pm | Newlin Hall | FREE JOIN US FOR A FREE COMMUNITY CONCERT FEATURING THE LOUISVILLE ORCHESTRA General admission tickets will be available soon. IN HARMONY - THE COMMONWEALTH TOUR Join the Louisville Orchestra as their 2026 In Harmony – The Commonwealth Tour returns to the Norton Center! Along with the evening concert, the orchestra will host impactful community events throughout Danville, from school visits to workshops, creating meaningful connections through music. Music Director: Teddy Abrams Special Guest: To Be Announced
Spanish Night with Pablo Sainz-Villegas & Friends
Thursday, March 5, 2026 | 7:30pm – Newlin Hall
Internationally renowned Spanish guitarist Pablo Sainz-Villegas invites audiences on a musical journey through Spain to explore its vibrant and diverse culture. Along with his trio of fellow musicians (percussion, bass, guitar II), Pablo will perform iconic, evocative and romantic pieces from his homeland in a program of the fieriest pieces ever written for guitar. Intertwined will be stories and shared feelings and emotions inspired by Spain, its culture and its one-of-a-kind music. Undoubtedly the most virtuoso guitarist of his generation, Pablo Sainz-Villegas has been acclaimed by the international press as the successor to Andrés Segovia and an ambassador of Spanish culture in the world. His most notable milestones include the Princess of Asturias Awards Concert and his participation in the Metropolitan Opera Gala last May at the Palace of Versailles. His numerous performances at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in Madrid, which captivated more than 85,000 attendees, as well as concerts held in distinguished venues such as Grant Park in Chicago, the iconic Praça do Comércio in Lisbon, and the illustrious Hollywood Bowl, accompanied by the LA Philharmonic, have made him one of this generation’s most remarkable and prolific performers.
Why Teaching and Understanding Evolution Still Matters
Thursday, March 5, 2026 | 7:00pm – Young Hall Auditorium 113
Evolution remains a controversial topic. 2025 is the 100th anniversary of the 'Scopes Monkey Trial' (the basis of the play and movie "Inherit The Wind"). That case was the most famous challenge to the teaching of evolution in public schools in the United States. Our country has advanced since 1925: we are in the 'age of genomics,' where the DNA of many species is rapidly being sequenced, revealing the secrets of how life evolves at the molecular level; gene-editing tools like CRISPR are being used to cure people of sickle cell anemia and other diseases with gene therapy. However, the United States remains woefully behind many other countries in the public's understanding of evolution. In this lecture, Phi Beta Kappa lecturer Dr. Prosanta Chakrabarty will use tools and anecdotes from his book Explaining Life Through Evolution that covers the evolution of the study of evolution from Aristotle to Darwin and his own research on the Tree of Life to explain why understanding evolution still matters. Dr. Chakrabarty is a science communicator and Curator of Fishes at the Louisiana State University Museum of Natural Sciences and Department of Biological Sciences.
Storytelling in the Age of Artificial Intelligence
Monday, March 9, 2026 | 7:00pm – Young Hall Auditorium 113
In a 20+ year career spanning journalism, documentary filmmaking, and entrepreneurship, Centre College alumnus and University of Alaska Atwood Chair of Journalism Brad Hillwig (’01) has seen storytelling rapidly transform from analog to digital and now the age of artificial intelligence. As AI reshapes how we create and consume media, Hillwig explores what remains timelessly human and essential about the craft of storytelling. Through examples from his own award-winning work and the broader media landscape, he examines the delicate balance between technology and human creativity while asking: What is the role of the storyteller in the age of AI? This talk invites audiences to consider how we might coexist with and harness new technologies to serve our most uniquely human quality–the need to create, live, share and interpret our world through the power of story.
Breaking Through: My Journey to Becoming the First Female NFL Official
Saturday, March 14, 2026 | 3:00pm – Weisiger Theatre
Sarah Thomas will provide the keynote address for this year's WLC - Celebrating 100 Years of Women at Centre. Sarah Thomas is a woman of many firsts—she was the first female official to ever work a major college football game, the first woman to officiate a bowl game, and the first to officiate in a Big Ten stadium. In 2021 she became the first female to officiate a Super Bowl. Now she’s sharing essential leadership lessons from her journey to the top of a male-dominated industry and vital insights on shattering the glass ceiling in the world of professional sports that can be applied to any field or industry. As an example of what’s possible if you believe, Sarah shows audience members how to break through in their own careers, from staying focused under pressure and creating change to managing work-life balance and being the best at what you do.
Musicians Showcase – Spring 2026
Sunday, March 15, 2026 | 3:00pm – Newlin Hall
The Centre College Music Program presents a variety of student musicians, ensembles, and singers as they come together to showcase their wide range of talents.
Houston Ballet II
Thursday, April 2, 2026 | 7:30pm – Newlin Hall
Houston Ballet II is the second company of Houston Ballet, the fifth-largest ballet company in the United States. Comprised of a stellar array of young dancers from around the world, this company performs a diverse range of works and tours both internationally and nationally. Called “the creme de la creme” by Playbill and “the next generation of ballet superstars” by Broadway Magazine, Houston Ballet II soars onto the Newlin Hall stage with a stunning lineup of classical and contemporary works that highlight the versatility and technical prowess of the dancers. The program features acts from Twilight, staged by Claudio Muñoz; Fingerprints, choreographed by the acclaimed Houston Ballet Artistic Director Stanton Welch; and the beloved classic The Sleeping Beauty. This grand finale features Aurora’s wedding celebration, showcasing Tchaikovsky’s enchanting score and virtuosic performances from the dancers.
Centre Symphony Orchestra – Spring 2026
Wednesday, April 8, 2026 | 7:30pm – Newlin Hall
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.
Human Capital for Humans
Thursday, April 16, 2026 | 7:30pm – Young Hall Auditorium 113
Is love the ultimate macroeconomic force shaping modern life and the economy? Dr. Pablo Peña believes so. Join us for a discussion with Dr. Peña, economist and author of Human Capital for Humans. Centre College economics professors will interview Dr. Peña to explore his inspiration for writing the book, his passion for human capital theory, and why he believes its lessons are essential for addressing societal issues related to aging, education, health, fertility, and more. Dr. Peña may convince you that ultimately, the economics of love is what makes the world go round.
Witch
Thursday, April 16 – Saturday, April 18, 2026 | 7:30pm – Weisiger Theatre
Sunday, April 19, 2026 | 2:00pm - Weisiger Theatre
Written by Jen Silverman, directed by Dr. Kane Anderson.
$10 General Admission, $5 Seniors, FREE to Centre Affiliates.
A charming devil arrives in the quiet village of Edmonton to bargain for the souls of its residents in exchange for their darkest wishes. Elizabeth should be his easiest target having been labeled a "witch" and cast out by the town but her soul is not so readily bought. As the devil returns to convince her - and then returns again - unexpected passions flare alliances are formed and the village is forever changed. An inventive retelling of a Jacobean drama this sharp subversive fable debates how much our souls are worth when hope is hard to come by.
John C. Young Scholars Symposium
Saturday, April 18, 2026 | 9:00am – Vahlkamp Theatre
2025-26 John C. Young Scholars Symposium Srija Badireddi, Cysteine Oxidation of Vimentin (Dr. Andrew Hitron, Chemistry) Keely Faulkner, Queering Greek Mythology (Dr. Jeffrey Shenton, Anthropology & Dr. Danielle La Londe, Classics) Simon Forsting, The Connectome Expanded (Dr. KatieAnn Skogsberg, Neuroscience) Mehak Mittal, Study of SARS-CoV-2 Therapeutics (Dr. Jennifer Muzyka, Chemistry) Carter Smith, Sacred Harp (Dr. Tara Strauch, History) William Watson, ICE Detention Policy in Boone County, KY (Dr. Kristen Kolenz, International Studies) Shae Wilson, Poetic Ethnography of Danville, KY (Dr. Philip White, English & Dr. Jeffrey Shenton, Anthropology)
There will be two sessions, with presentations spread between the two-time blocks. One convocation credit per session.
Centre Choirs Concert – Spring 2026
Wednesday, April 22, 2026 | 7:30pm – Newlin Hall
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 will sing a variety of songs, both classical and contemporary. This concert will be conducted by Johann J. Van Niekerk, the Associate Professor of Music and Director of Choral Ensembles and Voice.
CentreJazz Ensemble - Spring 2026
Thursday, April 23, 2026 | 7:30pm - Weisiger Theatre
CentreJazz is an improvisation-centered ensemble, performing jazz standards, blues, funk, soul, contemporary jazz, modal jazz, improvisational rock and more!
Kentucky Traditional Ensemble – Spring 2026
Monday, April 27, 2026 | 7:00pm – Combs Warehouse
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.
Centre Contemporary Ensemble – Spring 2026
Tuesday, April 28, 2026 | 7:00pm – Combs Warehouse
The Centre Contemporary Ensembles performs 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.
African Drum Ensemble – Spring 2026
Monday, May 4, 2026 | 7:30pm – Weisiger Theatre
Led by Professor Justin Balcor, the African Drum Ensemble concentrates on the percussive music of Ghana and West African countries. The ensemble uses authentic instruments to explore several styles of music that include, but are not limited to, music intended for dance and ritual.
Honors Convocation
Tuesday, May 5, 2026 | 7:30pm – Newlin Hall
Join us for Centre College’s annual student achievement celebration! Honors Convocation will feature two senior speakers nominated by the faculty and voted upon by the senior class. Students will earn two credits for attending this convocation.
Spring Dance Concert
Thursday, May 7, 2026 | 7:30pm – Weisiger Theatre
The annual Spring Dance Concert is an exciting and entertaining evening of dance, performed by students enrolled in dance classes through Centre's Drama Program. The concert presents a variety of choreographic works by regional dance artists as well as students.
______________________________________________________________________________________