The College of Wooster officially convened its 157th academic year with its annual Convocation Ceremony on Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026, welcoming students, faculty, and staff to a new year of learning while recognizing the beginning of senior year for the Class of 2027. Throughout the ceremony, speakers reflected on the opportunities, responsibilities, and connections that define a Wooster education, encouraging the community to embrace challenges, seek growth, and support one another along the way.
Opening the ceremony, Travis Webster, Henry J. Copeland Interfaith College Chaplain, reminded the community that receiving an education is both a privilege and a calling. In his invocation, he described education as an honor, a responsibility, a challenge, and a vocation, urging those gathered to use their experiences at Wooster to grow as ethical, creative, and generous citizens while supporting one another throughout the journey.
In her Convocation address, Anne McCall, president of The College of Wooster, emphasized the purpose of the annual tradition and the shared commitment it represents for members of the College community. She described Convocation as a moment to recommit to learning with and from one another while engaging deeply with ideas, questions, and challenges.
“Here, at The College of Wooster, we offer opportunities to learn and to discern, to dive deep into disciplinary and cross-disciplinary knowledge, to take on gnarly issues and learn how to break them down, understand them in their complexity, seek understanding or solutions, and create forms of new knowledge,” McCall said.
Drawing on themes of intellectual curiosity and academic freedom, McCall encouraged students to embrace reading, writing, and other rigorous forms of inquiry as opportunities for growth. She noted that the process of learning, questioning, and refining ideas alongside classmates, faculty, and staff strengthens both individuals and the broader community.
Representing the faculty, Jennifer Faust, associate professor of chemistry, reflected on the value of stepping outside one’s comfort zone. Sharing a humorous story from her own first week of college, she encouraged first-year students to remain open to new experiences and relationships while challenging seniors to continue seeking opportunities for growth during their final year at Wooster. “By the end of the year,” she said, “whether it’s your 1st, 4th, or 44th year at Wooster—I hope that you can take away something intangible by finding value in the new experiences that the 2026-2027 academic year will bring.”
Building on the theme of community, Jake Marion, director of equity and belonging, spoke about the importance of belonging, care, and reciprocity. Referencing the idea of “the opposite of loneliness,” he challenged seniors to consider how they can contribute to the experiences of newer students and leave a lasting impact on the community. “The parts of this community that we love are because of how it was given to us and how it was cared for by those before us,” Marion said. “It is now your turn to return that gift.”
Representing the senior class, TyLynn Gault ’27, president of Scot Council, highlighted the resilience and leadership demonstrated by Wooster students. Reflecting on leadership initiatives and first-year experiences leading up to the start of the semester, she encouraged students to recognize their purpose within the community and continue supporting one another throughout the year. “When times get tough, because they will, remember that you are resilient leaders,” Gault said.
During the ceremony, Ashley Kistler, provost, also recognized faculty returning from research leave and celebrated colleagues who achieved tenure and promotion this year. Faculty promoted to associate professor with tenure included Laura DeGroot, Hamed Goharipour, Heather Guarnera, Ryan Ozar, Naoko Skala, Zareen Thomas, and Huiting Tian. Those promoted to professor included Grit Herzmann, Katie Holt, and Matt Mariola ’98. Jeffrey Lindberg was also awarded the Olive Williams Kettering Professorship of Music.
Concluding the ceremony, McCall officially convened the 157th academic year and expressed optimism for what the community would accomplish together as Independent Minds, Working Together.