The Spire

Matt Nickerson ‘24

Chief Features Editor

The senior convocation for the class of 2024, held on Monday, January 22nd, at 5pm in the St. Joseph Memorial Chapel, marked one of the first times the class has been gathered in totality due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The class entered Holy Cross during the Fall 2020 semester, in which classes were suspended on-campus and students participated in remote learning from their homes. The atypical beginning for the class was referenced throughout the convocation, but the speeches also praised the senior class’ resilience and dedication for service in this prelude to one last semester atop the Hill.    

The convocation was opened with a call to order by Josh Azor and Kevin Hamilton, the co-presidents of the Student Government Association. The two spoke of the convocation’s role in allowing students to reflect on their journey as they plan their next steps beyond Holy Cross, and in particular commended their fellow classmates for the series of challenges they had faced during their time on the Hill. After this introduction, several seniors presented small speeches concentrated on each previous semester. Omar Afifi spoke of freshman year, held entirely on Zoom, and made several knowing references to features such as HC Clear and Kimball take-out boxes– things which are thankfully obsolete now but seniors still remember utilizing quite well. Alanya Telerski spoke of a sense of normality gained sophomore year, where students received the joy of a proper fall move-in as well as a concert with the Kid Laroi. Sanaea Simmons spoke of the junior year experience on-campus, with increasing visits to the career center and advancements in club leaderships with the ascension to upperclassmen status. Jenna Erb accounted for the 304 students who studied abroad throughout 2022-2023 (Office of Study Abroad), in particular referencing her own experience studying in Melbourne, Australia. Kyle McCabe, the class of 2024’s Vice President, summarized the experiences of “soaking in every last moment with the kids we’ve grown so close to over the past three years, while still experiencing the gratifying feeling of discovering new friendships” in the Fall 2023 semester, the penultimate one for the senior class.  

Asked about why he wanted to speak at the event, Omar reflects, “Senior Convocation was a great opportunity to reflect on how far we have come and the challenges we overcame as a class during our time on the Hill. It was also a chance for us to look forward to the short time we have left at Holy Cross and urge us to make the most of it.”

“Senior Convocation ’24 was a great experience. It was a time for our class to gather and both reflect on our time at Holy Cross and set the precedent for our last semester on the Hill,” Sanaea adds. “It was an honor to be among the speakers, sharing insights and memories that encapsulated our time together. Our unique experiences over the last four years spoke to the cultural experiences and top tier education at Holy Cross. The night was a meaningful reminder of the bonds we have built over zoom screens and in person and also a reminder of the potential that lies ahead for each of us.”

Following these insights, the senior address was given by history major Allison Leahy. In her speech, she shared her initial discomfort entering the college community within the confines of Zoom, and joked that she even enjoyed participating in breakout rooms in order to meet people and become integrated into the Holy Cross community. “While I felt grateful for the relationships that I made our first year, I felt lost without upperclassmen that I could go to when I had questions about which classes to register for or where to get involved. I needed role models.” In a step outside of her comfort zone, she decided to apply to become an orientation leader after her freshman year– a successful step into the role model shoes that she longed for herself. She also spoke glowingly of her participation in the Spring Break Immersion Program as well as the Study Abroad program offered in Spain. Allison applauded the class’ heavy participation in social justice movements such as anti-war protests, and urged those in attendance to think of who had served as their role models and mentors, the legacies they themselves were leaving behind, and how seniors can use their last few months to become that same person for others. “How will you express that gratitude?” she asked. 

After musical performances, President Vincent Rougeau spoke of the importance of looking forward after the Hill, but also living in the moment and appreciating our experience over the last few years, defining three major points of wisdom. He shared his own story about thanking his parents during his inauguration ceremony in 2021. “…Gratitude is a beautiful thing,” he says, echoing Allison’s message. He advised seniors to enjoy their last few months– checking out a sports game, or perhaps taking part in a retreat to the Joyce Contemplative Center. Dean Costance Royden, in her address to the class, reflected on her journey along with the class throughout the turbulence of the pandemic, which she never anticipated before she served as class dean. Dean Royden commented on the oddness of the class only being gathered together for the first time in their last year together, but expressed admiration for their perseverance: “You, Class of 2024, are what this troubled world needs.”

“It was wonderful to see so many students in the class of 2024 attend the senior convocation, in this first gathering of the class in person,” Dean Royden says. “ I was happy to be able to say a few remarks expressing my gratitude for having been able to serve as class dean for the class of 2024, and my hope for what the students in this class can accomplish in the coming semester and in their lives after they graduate from Holy Cross.”

To close out the convocation, Father Hayes, the class chaplain, gave a blessing to the assembled student body. In his speech, he included hopes to “Give them the grace to be actively present in the moment, trusting that you have prepared a place for them in their future. Help them to continue to deepen friendships, to expand their circle of acquaintances, to serve the community, and to labor together on behalf of their class.” Although Father Hayes was asked to serve after the departure of Keith Maczkiewicz SJ, he says, “I have cherished my time as chaplain of the class…I applaud this class for their resilience under difficult circumstances.” The convocation then concluded with a recitation of the alma mater and a postlude, before a dessert reception held in the Hogan Ballroom.    

The 2024 senior convocation was a successful continuation of a long tradition by “the College’s commitment to helping students find ways to pause and reflect on the acts and actions that share a meaningful life’s work,” as well as an invitation to “members of the Class of 2024 to reflect on their first three and a half years at Holy Cross and to consider how they will use their remaining time at the College to shape their lives and their life’s work,” as noted by the convocation program.  The tradition is partly due to the Lilly Vocation Discernment Initiative, (originally funded by Lilly Endowment, Inc) and is unique amongst other institutions for its unconventional timing: celebrated in January at Holy Cross whereas many institutions do so in May. Pointed out by President Rougeau during his speech, the January convocation date also marks three years since the class of 2024 first arrived on campus, for which they stand alone amongst other classes in modern Holy Cross history. 

Those who were not able to attend or livestream the convocation may watch the event back at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qtFttBK-8E&t=851s.