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DR. TRACY PARKINSON IS SPEAKER FOR OPENING CONVOCATION
One day after the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday, Dr. Tracy Parkinson drew from a 1967 King quote to remind students at Mars Hill College that they are part of a “World House,” in which they are neighbors to the rest of the world. Quoting King, Parkinson said: “All inhabitants of the globe are now neighbors. This worldwide neighborhood has been brought into being as a result of the modern scientific and technological revolutions.”
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| Dr. Tracy Parkinson |
Parkinson, dean of the faculty and associate professor of languages and literatures at King College, was the speaker for opening convocation for the 2011 Spring Semester at Mars Hill College, January 18.
The observation of Martin Luther King, Jr. is even more true today than it was in 1967, Parkinston said. All people have a story, he said, but he also emphasized the exceptionality, by global standards, of a personal story that includes access to higher education. The privilege of education requires responsibility, he said, to use one’s development as an intellectual to be a voice for those who cannot speak for themselves.
Parkinson called on students to live out their intellectual calling and their faith calling by paraphrasing the prophet Micah in the Old Testament. “For a community like this one that makes its intellectual journal alongside its faith journey, one might refer to our calling in Micah 6:8, to walk humbly, to love kindness, and to do justice, to be a voice for the least of these,” he said. “Because we’re called and because we can.”
A number of students were recognized for academic achievement at the convocation. Dr. Jason Pierce, Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs and Institutional Effectiveness, recognized recipients of the Frances Snelson Presidential Scholarship, as well as recipients of the Mars Hill College Honors Scholarships, including Church Leadership Scholars, Grayson Scholars, Leo White Scholars, Marshbanks-Anderson Scholars, Bailey Scholars and Bonner Scholars. Pierce also recognized college marshals, as well as students who have maintained a cumulative grade point average of 4.0.
Dr. Phyllis Smith, chair of the faculty, recognized those students who have been selected to Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities, while Dr. Greg Clemons, Alpha Chi sponsor, recognized those students who have been inducted into the Alpha Chi National Honor Scholarship Society for traditional students, and Mu Kappa Lambda Honor Society for ACCESS (adult) students.
Martin Gilbert, faculty athletic representative, recognized a number of athletes who have received distinction for academic achievement. Among those awards were the MHC softball team, which has maintained a team grade point average of 3.4, and the Men’s and Women’s Cross Country teams who have received all-academic team Honors from the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association. In addition, he recognized students who were on the 2010 SAC Commissioner’s Honor Roll for having attained a 3.2 g.p.a. during their respective athletic seasons.