The opening Convocation of the 159th academic year welcomed new students and parents of the class of 2020 to Linfield College in the Ted Wilson gymnasium on Aug. 26.

Professor of political science and associate dean of faculty Dawn Nowacki gave the keynote address at the assembly.

Other speakers included President of Linfield Thomas L. Hellie and several Linfield Faculty.

Linfield College’s opening convocation is a special day for new students and those who accompany them.

“I believe that when you look back at this day, you will look back fondly,” said Jeff Krier, a Linfield College alumni and member of the Parents Council Leadership Team.

Not only did Krier emphasize the meaning and importance of Linfield’s annual convocation, but was also able to pass on his wisdom to the incoming class as they began their academic year in a new and unfamiliar place.

One of Nowacki’s definite crowd pleasers was the interactive text message poll she held for the audience.

Focusing on the relationship between today’s digital world and college students, she was able to bring important issues to light while keeping the audience engaged.

The convocation provided useful information for new students and helpful insights to parents.

As always, the tradition of the acorn carried on in which new students receive an acorn from a bowl after going through the faculty gauntlet. Students return the acorn for future students to have at commencement each year.