2nd Convocation for CLA Stays Cool With Speeches and Ice Cream!
By Siobhan Donaldson | Published by September 12th, 2019
Wilkins Theater was once again filled with students and faculty for the 2nd Annual College of Liberal Arts Convocation on Sept. 10. Classes were canceled in hopes that freshmen and new transfer students would attend.
Acting Dean, Jonathan Mercantini, opened the event with many gratuities for the staff who put it all together. Key figures of the liberal arts department included Jack Sargent, Executive Director of Communications, Media, and Journalism, and Dr. Sara Compion, Director, Center for Interdisciplinary Studies at Kean University. Mercantini explained how important the College of Liberal Arts is to Kean and why a college degree is so important in our modern world.
“College of Liberal Arts Staff Stand During The 2nd CLA Convocation Ceremony, 2019”
Photo by Siobhan Donaldson
“Those with a college degree earn more than one million dollars more than those without one,” Mercantini said, “Just by graduating you are a millionaire.”
Mercantini then announced that freshmen who completed the semester with a 4.0 GPA would receive a $100 gift card to the restaurant, Ursino, located in the STEM building. President Dawood Farahi, announced his retirement in 2020, focusing on how necessary Liberal Arts is to Kean’s professional programs.
“For our many professional programs, without a liberal arts foundation, it is useless.” Mercantini continued.
Kiki Jamieson, Ph.D., President of The Fund for New Jersey Foundation, who works to improve the quality of public policy decision making, spoke about how power between political spaces and academic spaces that hold communities back can be changed by education and addressing of the issue.
“By communicating with professors and advisors, students can face the world with a brave face.” Jamieson said.
This struck a chord with Jenilee Jean Pierre, a freshman who is undecided on their major.
“Power has been on my mind a lot lately, power in the world, power in the issues we face. I feel with power I can create change, even here, through my education.” Jean Pierre said.
“Gourmet Dining Staff member, Willie Melendez, Serves Students Ice Cream”
Photo by Siobhan Donaldson
Ice cream of various flavors was later served to students and faculty in the Center for Academic Success by Gourmet Dining staff member Willie Melendez.
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