‘Class of 2122’: Convocation welcomes freshmen with fireworks, misprinted stoles

President Daniele Struppa greets incoming freshman class at Convocation August 21. Photos by Bonnie Cash

Chapman ushered its new freshman class into the future at the annual Convocation ceremony on Wilson Field Aug. 21 by distributing stoles that said, “Class of 2122.” The university promised freshmen that the embroidery misprint would be corrected.

In his convocation address, President Daniele Struppa spoke to the crowd about Chapman’s admission into Phi Beta Kappa, a national academic honor society that “celebrates and advocates excellence in the liberal arts and sciences.” There are 286 chapters including Ivy

League schools like Yale University, Harvard University and Princeton University. Chapman’s chapter, supported by a $3 million endowment, is set to open this fall.

Some of the incoming class’ stoles were misprinted with the year 2122. Stoles with the correct year will be redistributed.

Dean of Students Jerry Price returns a stole to an incoming freshman after using it as an example of the misprinted graduation year.

Incoming freshmen exchange the graduation stoles given to them at Convocation.

Incoming freshmen watch as the annual Convocation fireworks ceremony begins.