QUINCY – Eastern Nazarene College faculty and staff formally begin each year with Convocation, held on Wednesday, Aug. 30.

Held in Wollaston Church of the Nazarene, where students gather each week for Chapel services, Convocation is a tradition in higher education that launches the new school year that will conclude with Commencement in May. The two ceremonies serve as bookends for the 2023-2024 school year.

Convocation was also a formal introduction to the College’s new President, Dr. Colleen Derr, as she delivered her message of transformational leadership to the student body. Her speech was preceded by worship led by Dr. John Nielson, prayer by Dr. Melody Eckhardt, and scripture reading in multiple languages by student leaders. The event was opened by Dr. Bill McCoy, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the College, who introduced students to the concept of Convocation and the meaning of “togetherness.”

Dr. Derr was introduced by Dr. David Young, Dean of the Chapel and College Chaplain. She outlined her hopes for leading the College in its mission of transformational education, not transactional. The verse chosen to drive this year was Romans 1:16 ERV: “For I am proud of the Good News, for it is the power of God to save everyone.” A card was handed to those present as a reminder of Derr’s mission statement for the year.

Following another opportunity to worship, Vice President for Multicultural Affairs Robert Benjamin delivered a benediction, and then faculty and staff began a recessional. Afterward students and family were free to gather for a barbecue on the lawn outside of Wollaston Church of the Nazarene.

A recording of the Convocation ceremony is available on ENC’s Facebook page.