All full-time faculty and staff members are invited to attend University Convocation Day on Tuesday, August 22, 2023. The Convocation provides an opportunity to gather together and kick off our 2023-2024 academic year. This year, University Convocation will be held on the Minneapolis campus and livestreamed at our Winona campus.
Questions sometimes arise about who is expected to attend. Some offices and areas must remain open to make necessary preparations for the beginning of the academic year. With this in mind, all full-time faculty members, academic administrators, program directors, and academic services staff are required to attend unless excused by their supervisor. All other staff members should also plan to attend unless otherwise instructed by their supervisors.
Bus transportation will be arranged for travel from Winona to Minneapolis and back. We prefer that people take advantage of this. The bus will depart from the front of the Toner Student Center at approximately 7:15 a.m. If you decide to travel on your own, it will be at your own expense. Please use this link to RSVP for the Convocation, lunch, and bus transportation by August 4 so we can finalize arrangements.
A full day of events will be highlighted by remarks from our president, Fr. James Burns, and Brother George Van Grieken, FSC, Ph.D., our keynote speaker.
Br. George is a Lasallian Scholar, whose life has been dedicated to the research and study of Lasallian education and spirituality. He has taught at all levels, was the president/CEO of a Lasallian International School, and has presented at regional and international formation conferences.
Throughout this academic year, Brother George will be a visiting scholar providing formation to different groups to assist in the renewal of our Lasallian Catholic charism. In addition, Br. George will be working on projects with Dr. Marisa Naryka, vice president for mission and ministry, and Dr. Matthew Gerlach, vice president for character, virtue, and ethics to renew and re-envision our mission formation and integration.
Br. George will begin as our 2023 convocation speaker reflecting on the five core principles in light of our Lasallian Catholic mission.
A reminder with the final, more detailed schedule for the day will be sent in the next couple of weeks.
We look forward to seeing you on August 22nd. If you have any questions about University Convocation Day, please contact your area vice president or the provost’s office.
