Opening Convocation kicks off 2011-2012 academic year

Muskingum University held its Convocation August 30 in the Recreation Center, officially kicking off the 2011-2012 academic year and celebrating the institutions 175^th anniversary.

The processional of faculty, dressed in full regalia, and followed by the incoming first-years and transfer students marked the beginning of the event, with Muskingum University President Anne C. Steele giving the welcome address.

The University Chaplain, William E. Mullins, gave the invocation prior to President Steele's recognition of Zanesville native Beverly J. Coen, a 1968 alumna who gave this year's address.

Coen is the Chief Tax and Risk Officer of Nordson Corporation, a company that operates in 30 countries out of Westlake, Ohio and is the world's leading producer of precision systems.

Coen is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Nordson Company Foundation, working with social responsibility initiatives. Throughout her 30 years of employment with Nordson, the company has donated 5 percent of their annual profits to charity, equalling over $40 million to charities throughout the United States and is working on expanding their outreach to all of the countries that they do business with.

Coen's accomplishments also extend outside her place of employment. She has chaired the Board of Trustees of the Ohio Buckeye Chapter of the Multiple Sclerosis Society and been nationally recognized for excellence in services for those with MS and for fund-raising achievements. She is also a Trustee of the Interfaith Hospitality Network of Greater Cleveland and Emeritus Director of Family Promise of Greater Cleveland.

Along with those recognitions Ms. Coen was recognized by the Ohio Foundation for Independent Colleges for her leadership in furthing higher education in Ohio.

When speaking to this year's Muskingum University first-years and transfer students, Coen stressed the importance of coming into college with an open mind.

"You have an opportunity to define your place in the Muskingum family, and perhaps to recreate yourself," said Coen. "Each of you has a fresh start."

Her advice also extended outside of Muskingum, noting that students shouldn't limit themselves when they start looking for jobs after college, saying that they don't have to always restrict themselves a job in the category of their major.

Coen's address was not the only highlight of Convocation. The new Vice President for Academic Affairs, James E. Callaghan, presented three faculty members with awards.

Professor of History Dr. William T. Kerrigan received the William Oxley Thompson Award for Excellence in Teaching, Associate Professor of English Dr. Jane Varley received the William Rainey Harper Award for Outstanding Scholarship, and Professor of Music Dr. Joyce L. Alesandrini received the Cora I. Orr Faculty Service Award.

Following the faculty recognitions, class of 2012's Aaron D. Lashley sang the Alma Mater before faculty and students left the Recreation Center to officially begin the 2011-2012 year.