Manhattanville College Holds Convocation for First-Year Students

PURCHASE, NY, AUGUST 27, 2021 – Manhattanville College students, faculty and staff gathered for the first in-person convocation since before the pandemic paused large events. Taking time out from a busy week of moving into the residence halls, the Class of 2025 gathered for the event, gaining some inspiration in the process.

Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Christine Dehne, M.F.A., welcomed students to campus after eighteen months of hybrid learning and working at the college.

“Our hope is that today helps you to imagine yourself living your life to its fullest, and to put that dream into action by beginning to walk towards it starting today,” said Dehne, addressing the crowd of close to 400 new students. “The Coronavirus has meant that the past year-and-a-half has been a time of great anxiety for us all. While I cannot tell you that the time for anxiety has magically passed, I can welcome you into this caring community which will help us to get through this pandemic together. We have safety measures in place, and we can support and care for one another as we work through our shared anxiety. This is one of the many benefits of community.”

Convocation is a tradition at colleges and universities where new students are welcomed by college leaders, setting the tone for their academic careers.

Vice President for Admissions and Marketing, Troy Cogburn, captured the excitement of the moment while also recognizing the challenges these students have faced.

“We are thrilled to welcome the class of 2025 for the 2021-22 academic year,” said Cogburn. “You have thrived during unprecedented times and now you are ready to embrace your future. Our dedicated faculty, staff, administrators, and current students are excited to welcome and engage with you as you develop into the future leaders of our society. You will challenge yourself, you will debate ideas and theories, you will create new friendships, and you will learn from one another as you grow together.”

The traditional convocation address was given by Charlene Cordero Matas, a 2011 graduate of Manhattanville, who is Assistant Secretary for Public Safety for the State of New York. Britney Sirota, Student Government Association President, was the student speaker. Cordero Matas kicked things off sharing the concerns she had when she was a new college student.

“Fourteen years ago, my family and my mom – who is here today sitting in the front row – moved me into … Spellman Hall,” said Cordero Matas. “I was excited, I was scared, I felt unprepared, and I was going through some serious culture shock. As a Dominican-American who grew up abroad, I hadn’t lived in the United States for almost a decade and I thought I would be so different from those I was to meet at Manhattanville. Thankfully, I was wrong.”

Sirota focused on student relationships, and the value of the Manhattanville community as a positive support system. “But here at Manhattanville you are not just a face or just another number in the classroom,” said Sirota. “You are a Valiant. And being a Valiant means you’re family. All these new faces you see around you today will become a part of your family as they help guide you along your journey, whether it be as a teammate, classmate, friend or even just another smiling face on the quad.”

The two young leaders spoke about what being a Valiant means to students not just from New York, but Texas, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Ireland, Japan, and Nigeria.

Rebecca Lafleur, Ph.D., interim dean of the School of Arts and Sciences, closed the ceremony by providing the charge to the incoming class.

“[T]hose typical feelings you are experiencing are likely being exacerbated by the pandemic we’ve all been coping with for the past year and a half,” said Lafleur. “I know I find myself energized by all the activity on campus and the return of students this past week, but it can also be anxiety provoking to be face to face after so many months of virtual interactions.”

LaFleur went on to offer practical advice, encouraging students to go to class on time, get involved, ask for help, make connections, and challenge themselves. Afterwards, lunch was served on the campus quad.

All undergraduate classes at Manhattanville are in person this year. All students, staff and faculty are required to be vaccinated. Masks are currently required indoors in classes and at events and meetings.

About Manhattanville College: Manhattanville College is a small, private liberal arts institution dedicated to academic excellence, purposeful education, and social justice. Located 30 miles from New York City on a 100-acre suburban campus in the heart of bustling Westchester County, Manhattanville enables easy access to robust entertainment offerings, educational resources, and business opportunities for its primarily residential and diverse student body. The College serves more than 1,500 undergraduate students and nearly 1,000 graduate students from more than 44 countries and 33 states. Founded in 1841, the College offers more than 75 undergraduate and graduate areas of study in the arts and sciences, education, business, and creative writing, as well as continuing and executive education programs. Graduate students can choose from over 70 graduate and certificate programs. Extracurricular offerings include more than 45 clubs and 20 NCAA Division III teams. To learn more, visit www.mville.edu.