Wooster convenes 153rd academic year, celebrates renovated Lowry Center

The College of Wooster officially began its 153rd academic year with its annual Convocation on Aug. 25, celebrating the start of senior year for the Class of 2023 and the entire community’s return to campus as well as the reopening of Lowry Center. A procession of faculty and members of the senior class led by The College of Wooster Pipe Band kicked off the event, which featured speakers representing many voices of the campus community.

“The spirit with which we embark on this new year, both as individuals and as a community will be more important than ever. At Wooster we teach and practice civil discourse in our interactions with one another every day,” said Interim President Wayne Webster in his opening remarks, reflecting on the theme of the event: Civil Discourse. “Civil discourse is a crucial element of holding our institutional values of equity and inclusion and is a cornerstone of good global citizenship.”

Representatives from staff, faculty, and students spoke of their hopes and excitement for the coming year at Wooster as well as the richness of the College community and the diverse perspectives held by the people around them. They called upon listeners “to have a willingness to learn from and be changed by everyone in our community,” as Professor Susan Lehman said in her remarks. Senior Alegnta Mezmur ’23, president of International Student Association added, “Let us all appreciate our differences and begin to see the beauty in our interactions and our similarities.”

The convocation ceremony also provided the opportunity to celebrate the promotions of faculty members and welcome new and returning members of the Scot community. View a video archive of the Convocation ceremony below.

Reopening Lowry Center

Following the ceremony, the College celebrated the reopening of the Lowry Center, featuring the Campus Dining area on the main floor, with a ribbon cutting ceremony to commemorate the completion of Phase 1 of the Lowry Center Transformation project.

Representatives from the senior class who spoke at the convocation ceremony, Mezmur, Noah Golovan ’23, president of Scot Council, and Kennedy Pope ’23, president of Black Women’s Organization, cut the ribbon for the occasion. Interim President Webster recognized and thanked project architect, Boston-based Bergmeyer, Bogner Construction, Campus Dining, and College of Wooster Board Chair Sally Staley ’78, as well as the many donors who contributed to the project. A debt-free project, more than $37 million was raised to support this welcoming and inspiring space that celebrates Wooster’s inclusive values and highlights the international and diverse nature of the community. View the video of the Phase I ribbon cutting below.

The new open-air atrium in the entryway of the Lowry Center greets students and members of the college community with beautiful imagery of Wooster’s campus and leads into the main servery with increased size, accessibility, and dining and seating options. In a few weeks, the ground level of the building including the bookstore, the campus post office, MacLeod’s coffee bar and convenience store, and renewed event space The Alley, will open as well, and the final phase of the project is expected to complete at the start of the spring semester. For upcoming highlights from the event and more information about the project continue to follow our social media channels or visit wooster.edu/student-center.

Posted in News on August 25, 2022.