As part of an annual Belmont tradition, the University celebrated a campus-wide opening convocation Wednesday to kick start the academic year and set the tone for the months ahead. Interim Provost Dr. Pat Raines provided the official welcome, noting, “We meet at this time of year to mark a new beginning, a time to re-focus our energy on the tasks at hand… We renew our commitment to seeking new knowledge, and to applying that knowledge to difficult problems.” Click here for the complete text of Dr. Raines’ remarks.
President Bob Fisher presided over the ceremony, which continued with student-led Scripture readings and a beautiful rendition of “Prayer for Grace” from the Belmont Chorale. Dr. Fisher then delivered his annual State of the University address providing students an update on all the campus changes and accomplishments from the recent summer break, including the completion of McWhorter Hall and two residence halls as well as the start of renovations to Rose Park. Though thankful for those improvements, he emphasized “Our students are our greatest point of pride… ultimately, it is the thousands of individual and small group efforts of our students to serve the community that are the most amazing. You students are clearly doing your part in positioning Belmont to be ‘the best in the world’ at engaging in service learning, internships and community service.”
Click here to read the transcript from Dr. Fisher’s address.
