 Thursday's Convocation activities were preceeded by a torch-lit procession from Linden Lane to Conte forum, pictured above.
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Convocation activities of Thursday marked the start of four years at Boston College for members of the class of 2012. Coming together for the first of two ceremonial "bookend" parades through campus, freshmen were encouraged to make the most of the liberal education lying before them and build a community of their peers. The torch-lit path, lined with faculty, staff, administrators, and upperclassmen, led them to Conte Forum where Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author J.R. Moehringer spoke.
Moehringer, whose memoir The Tender Bar was given to freshmen over the summer to read and reflect on, offered advice and insight on the ups and downs of the college experience. Chosen not only for his renown and talent within the world of journalism, Moehringer presents an honest account of the most formative moments in his life in his memoir and grapples with issues that many college freshmen will face in the coming years.
Convocation, organized by the Office of First Year Experience, serves as a symbolic and meaningful way for the incoming class to begin its college experience. "Father Joe Marchese does an excellent job each year finding an author and speaker who can challenge students to think about their place in the world upon arriving at Boston College," said University Spokesman Jack Dunn. "Once again this year, his choice, J.R. Moehringer, had a message that clearly resonated with our freshman students in a compelling and thought-provoking manner."
Moehringer joked about following in the footsteps of the "elite speaking group" of past Convocations, which includes senators and presidential candidates Barack Obama and John McCain, and author Jeanette Walls. "This is my first experience with the wonder of mandatory attendance," he said. "I feel like Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison."
A native of Manhasset, N.Y., Moehringer recounts the struggles and successes of his childhood and young adulthood in his memoir, paying tribute to the unofficial "family" he found at a local bar. Though his biological father was not present in his life, Moehringer finds a support system through the influences of other people, especially his mother and uncle, which filled this void.
Spring Break
