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LOC Fall Convocation 2025
LOC National Alumni
Overview
This video documents the Fall Convocation 2025 ceremony for Le Moine Owen College. The event marks the beginning of the academic year, welcoming new and returning students, faculty, and staff. Key themes include honoring the college's legacy, embracing purpose, and fostering a community of leadership, opportunity, and change. The ceremony features addresses from college leadership, an invocation, musical performances, and the formal charge to the freshman class, emphasizing the college's mission to cultivate 'magic'—making academic, institutional, and cultural greatness through intentional effort and commitment.
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Chapters
- Opening greetings from student representatives, Mr. De Mo and M. Kimbro, expressing joy and pride for the new academic year.
- Emphasis on the convocation as a celebration of shared commitment to leadership, opportunity, and change at Le Moine Owen College.
- A call to embrace individual gifts, engage with faculty, participate in activities, and build collaborative relationships.
- Introduction of Dr. Amy Davis as the moderator, highlighting education as a passport to equality.
This section sets the tone for the event, welcoming the community and framing the academic year around the college's core values and mission.
The student representatives' opening remarks, expressing excitement and welcoming attendees to the 'sacred space' for the convocation.
- Introduction of the academic year's theme: 'Rooted in Legacy, Reigning in Purpose'.
- The theme calls for reflection on the college's history of resilience, wisdom, sacrifice, and faith.
- An invocation by Dr. Michael Moore, asking for divine presence, sharpened minds, lifted spirits, and a strengthened community.
- Prayer for the convocation to ignite fresh vision, renewed hope, and a deeper commitment to excellence.
This chapter establishes the guiding principles and spiritual foundation for the academic year, connecting past achievements with future aspirations.
Dr. Michael Moore's prayer, specifically asking for blessings on the convocation to mark the start of the academic year and ignite 'fresh vision, renewed hope, and a deeper commitment to excellence.'
- Dr. Tara Dunn Ross introduces the 'Magic Manifesto,' a set of four guiding principles for the academic year.
- Principle 1: Timely Achievement – encouraging intentionality, goal-setting, and on-time graduation (four years).
- Principle 2: Empowered Leadership – defining leadership as action, impact, and lifting others to strengthen the campus community.
- Principle 3: Global Perspective – emphasizing curiosity, openness, and embracing diversity in an interconnected world.
- Principle 4: Future Ready – advocating for adaptability, innovation, and skill-building to thrive in a changing world.
These principles provide actionable guidance for students, outlining expectations for academic success, personal development, and engagement with the wider world.
The explanation of 'Timely Achievement' as a challenge to 'move with intention' and 'stay on track to graduate in four years.'
- Introduction of Dr. Christopher B. Davis, the 14th President of Le Moine Owen College, highlighting his experience and commitment.
- President Davis emphasizes the college's identity as Memphis's only residential HBCU and Tennessee's first and oldest HBCU.
- He frames the students' journey as crossing from a 'wilderness of preparation' (high school) to a 'promise' (college), drawing parallels to Joshua.
- The college's vision is to 'make magic,' defined as 'making academic greatness institutional and cultural' through intentionality.
- The 'five marks of magic' are introduced: Mastery of the Mind, Accountability to Achieve, Growth for Graduation, Impact Beyond the Institution, and Character that Carries.
This address grounds students in the college's significant history and unique identity, while articulating a clear vision and actionable framework for their success.
The analogy of students standing at their 'Jordan River,' with high school as the wilderness of preparation and college as the promise they are crossing into.
- Dr. Earl Fischer, newly appointed Dean of Chapel, delivers the charge to the freshman class.
- The charge emphasizes grounding in faith (in God, self, people, and purpose), learning from ancestors, and uplifting one's community.
- Students are charged to pursue excellence academically, socially, and politically, reflecting their lineage of genius.
- A call to challenge themselves and professors with hard questions and hard work, stretching beyond comfort zones.
- Maintaining a graceful and grateful heart, serving the common good, and remembering their origins are crucial.
This section provides a profound and inspiring call to action for new students, outlining the ethical, intellectual, and communal responsibilities that come with their education.
The charge to 'ground yourself in faith,' which includes faith in God, but also faith in oneself, one's people, and the divine assignment that brought them to the college.
- The Class of 2029 takes a solemn oath, promising to be true collegians.
- The oath includes commitments to the pursuit of knowledge, managing time, developing skills, serving others, learning from mistakes, and maintaining integrity.
- Students pledge to represent Le Moine Owen College with honor.
- Acknowledgements are given to various departments, staff, musicians, and the Metropolitan Baptist Church.
- The ceremony concludes with a recessional, a litany at the bell, singing the alma mater, and a benediction.
The student oath formalizes the commitment of the new class to the college's values and expectations, marking their official entry into the academic community.
The oath includes the promise to 'turn mistakes into lessons, not habits,' highlighting a growth mindset.
Key takeaways
- Le Moine Owen College's Fall Convocation is a significant event that officially launches the academic year, reinforcing the institution's mission and values.
- The college's theme, 'Rooted in Legacy, Reigning in Purpose,' encourages students to honor their history while actively shaping their future.
- The 'Magic Manifesto' provides a framework for student success, emphasizing timely achievement, empowered leadership, global perspective, and future readiness.
- President Davis's address highlights the college's unique HBCU identity and historical significance, inspiring students to contribute to its ongoing legacy.
- The 'five marks of magic' (Mastery of Mind, Accountability, Growth, Impact, Character) offer a comprehensive approach to holistic student development.
- The charge to the freshman class emphasizes faith, excellence, continuous learning, and service as foundational elements for their college journey.
- The student oath signifies a formal commitment to academic rigor, personal integrity, and representing the college with honor.
Key terms
ConvocationLe Moine Owen CollegeHBCU (Historically Black College and University)LegacyPurposeMagic ManifestoTimely AchievementEmpowered LeadershipGlobal PerspectiveFuture ReadyMastery of the MindAccountability to AchieveGrowth for GraduationImpact Beyond the InstitutionCharacter that Carries
Test your understanding
- What is the significance of the theme 'Rooted in Legacy, Reigning in Purpose' for Le Moine Owen College students?
- How does the 'Magic Manifesto' guide students throughout the academic year?
- What historical context does President Davis emphasize when describing Le Moine Owen College's identity?
- What are the core components of the 'charge' given to the freshman class by the Dean of Chapel?
- What commitments do students make when taking the Class of 2029 oath?