Simmons kicks off new academic year with annual Convocation ceremonies

Watch: Highlights from Convocation 2012.
Simmons College officially kicked off the 2012-13 academic year with its annual Convocation ceremonies held last week on the Academic Campus Quad.
Convocation is the College's first major event of the year. It recognizes the significant achievements of senior honor students, and officially welcomes new students to Simmons. The all-College event featured guest speakers including, Interim Director of the Center for Excellence in Teaching Barbara E. Walvoord; Warburg Professor of International Relations Ambassador Mark Bellamy; Dean of Student Life Sarah Neill; and Senior Class President Shannon Curran.
As a surprise to the Simmons community, the Class of 2013 started a new tradition by donating $1,000 to the Beatley Library to purchase the first recommended books for the College's new Center for Excellence in Teaching, which was created as a Strategy 2015 initiative to help faculty find teaching resources, exchange ideas with colleagues, and try new teaching ideas.
In addition to student recognition, faculty are acknowledged at Convocation for their outstanding yearly contributions in teaching, advising, and research. Congratulations to the following faculty members for receiving the annual dean's awards in:
Exceptional Undergraduate Advising: Art and Music Chair & Professor Margaret Hanni.
Exceptional Teaching: Psychology Professor Sarah Martin.
Exceptional Faculty Research: Philosophy Professor Shirong Luo.
Simmons is excited to have the students back and start the new semester! Here's how you can stay connected with the College throughout the year:
Also, check us out on Tumblr, Instagram (@SimmonsCollege), and Foursquare!
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