2008 Woodie Awards
Convocation 2007
The Official Beginning of the Journey for the Class of 2011
Drew Lewis
Issue date: 9/7/07 Section: Campus News
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The academic year at Stevens has officially begun with the tradition of Convocation on Wednesday. The pomp and circumstance focuses around the induction of the incoming freshman class into the Stevens Honor System, a system that has been in use for almost an entire century. Rather than facing immediate suspension or expulsion from the Institute, students who are accused of plagiarism are investigated by the Honor Board. If the Honor Board finds sufficient evidence to incriminate the defendant, the board holds an official trial with a jury of Stevens students. There are some professors that will allow their students to complete take-home exams, all with the expectation that they will follow the Institute's strict honor code. This is based on integrity, one of the values espoused by the Honor Board and its president, Andrew Kaplan.
The president of the Institute, Harold Raveche, had an equally inspirational message: to not only take advantage of what the Institute predominantly offers, an unparalleled education in engineering and the sciences, but to also expand one's horizons and engage in other intellectual pursuits. He particularly mentioned the impediments in writing that some have after earning their degree, a trend typically seen of technologically advanced schools.
In addition, the president of the Student Government, Michael Manzella, challenged the incoming freshman class to get involved with the school in any capacity that they could. This included clubs such as the Dramatic Society, intramural sports, jazz band, The Stute, and many others.
The ceremony also included the presentation of numerous awards of excellence both to the students and the faculty. Some of them included the Harvey N. Davis Award, the Ondrick Scholarship, the Colonel Basil M. Stevens Award, and the President's Cup. The President's cup is an award given to a varsity team that demonstrates excellence and leadership in academics, philanthropy, and on-the-field performance. This year the recipient of that prestigious award was the Stevens' women's volleyball team. Also, the Board of Trustees conferred upon two members of the faculty honorary degrees, a Bachelor's of Engineering and a Master's of Engineering.
The event ended with the singing of the Alma Mater performed by the Stevens Choir and the academic procession of faculty members and administrators dressed in their academic hoods representing the numerous degrees and honors they have attained in their own academic pursuits.
The president of the Institute, Harold Raveche, had an equally inspirational message: to not only take advantage of what the Institute predominantly offers, an unparalleled education in engineering and the sciences, but to also expand one's horizons and engage in other intellectual pursuits. He particularly mentioned the impediments in writing that some have after earning their degree, a trend typically seen of technologically advanced schools.
In addition, the president of the Student Government, Michael Manzella, challenged the incoming freshman class to get involved with the school in any capacity that they could. This included clubs such as the Dramatic Society, intramural sports, jazz band, The Stute, and many others.
The ceremony also included the presentation of numerous awards of excellence both to the students and the faculty. Some of them included the Harvey N. Davis Award, the Ondrick Scholarship, the Colonel Basil M. Stevens Award, and the President's Cup. The President's cup is an award given to a varsity team that demonstrates excellence and leadership in academics, philanthropy, and on-the-field performance. This year the recipient of that prestigious award was the Stevens' women's volleyball team. Also, the Board of Trustees conferred upon two members of the faculty honorary degrees, a Bachelor's of Engineering and a Master's of Engineering.
The event ended with the singing of the Alma Mater performed by the Stevens Choir and the academic procession of faculty members and administrators dressed in their academic hoods representing the numerous degrees and honors they have attained in their own academic pursuits.