Convocation
258th Opening Convocation
Monday, September 6, 2021
258th Opening Convocation
Monday, September 6, 2021
Opening Convocation
Monday, September 6, 2021 | 4 p.m. ET | The College Green
At Brown’s 258th Opening Convocation, President Christina H. Paxson officially proclaimed the opening of the academic year and welcomed new students to campus. Chair and Professor of Africana Studies Noliwe Rooks gave the keynote address.
Program
Procession
The Rhode Island Highlanders Pipe Band
The Brown Band
National Anthem
Performed by The Higher Keys
Invocation
The Reverend Janet Cooper Nelson
Chaplain of the University
Proclamation
Opening of the 258th Academic Year
Christina H. Paxson
President of the University
Keynote Address
“Finding Joy in the Journey: Memory Laws and The Battle to Remember"
Noliwe Rooks
Chair and Professor of Africana Studies
The Alma Mater
Performed by The Higher Keys
Alma Mater! We hail thee with loyal devotion
And bring to thine altar our off’ring of praise;
Our hearts swell within us with joyful emotion
As the name of Old Brown in loud chorus we raise.
The happiest moments of youth’s fleeting hours
We’ve passed ’neath the shade of these time-honored walls;
And sorrows as transient as April’s brief showers
Have clouded our life in Brunonia’s halls.
Recessional
The Brown Band
Brown University abides by public health guidance and health and safety protocols to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19. Event attendees, including visitors and guests, must comply with all University policies and protocols in place at the time of the event, including current University policy regarding face masks and coverings (see the University’s COVID-19 Campus Activity Status page for the current policy for both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals).