As faculty lined the aisle, new students made their way to the front of Liberty Chapel for our annual Convocation on Wednesday. Dr. Bitner welcomed them and explained the history and purpose of a Convocation.
Dr. Bitner explained the purpose of a Convocation.
Arianna Erixson, Student Senate President, gave a charge to the entire student body in regard to being a family and supporting each other. Dr. An provided special music, and the new students were introduced to the school song for the first time. Dr. Cone shared a message and gave some humorous answers to frequently asked questions.
Dr. Cone shared a message.
We are excited to welcome both new and returning students for another year of training and service.
A large portion of this year’s Registration Day was rainy and dreary here in Kansas City. However, we did not let that dampen our excitement over welcoming new students to Calvary!
A sizable group of men and women went through the check-in process on Thursday, and some of them also moved into the dorm. Thankfully the afternoon brought clearer skies for transporting student belongings.
As we reach the end of this year, please remember the Calvary students in your prayers. Some of them have final exams, papers, and projects to finish. Others may be done with classwork, but now they are traveling home for Christmas break. Pray for spiritual and physical protection. Intercede especially for those students who are going home to unsaved family and friends. Pray that God would give them opportunities to share about the Savior and that they would put into practice the lessons they have learned at Calvary. Also pray for the new students who will be joining the Calvary family in January that God would supply their every need.
On Wednesday, chapel time was devoted to welcoming the new students via Convocation. Faculty wore regalia and lined the center aisle. The new students entered to applause and sat in the first several rows. Returning students and staff filled many of the remaining chairs. Once the faculty made their way to the stage, Dr. Bitner read some of the history of convocation, and we sang a hymn. Luke Pauli, the Student Senate President, gave a heart-felt charge to the new students and asked them to live each day as if it were their last. Hailey Bair, a talented student, sang “How Great Thou Art.” Dr. Cone’s presidential charge encouraged the students to be like Onesiphorus, who “refreshed” Paul as seen in 2 Timothy 1:16.
The students were told more than once that Calvary will provide them with a fine education – just like many other schools would. However, what sets Calvary apart from those other schools is the family atmosphere. Welcome to the family, new students!
What a beautiful sight – a chapel full of students!
I very much enjoy New Student Registration Day! It is fun to meet all the new members of the Calvary family and find out which ones are children of alumni or siblings of other students. It is also exciting to meet new students, who had no previous connection to Calvary, and hear about how God led them here. Please be praying for our new students as they settle in to Calvary life. Some of them are far from home for the first time. Some will need prayer for good time management as they take classes and work or take classes and play sports. You can pray that all of them will form strong friendships during these first few weeks. Finally, pray that each of them will “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 3:18)”
