Coming Home Again, Convocation 2009

Shimer celebrated the beginning of a new academic year and welcomed back students, both new and returning, at the 2009 Shimer College Convocation. Dean David Shiner began the ceremony with a welcome, with echoing words of greetings also extended from President Thomas Lindsay and Chairman of the Board Chris Nelson. Following the welcome, keynote speaker Dr. David Koukal ('90), an alumnus from Shimer’s Waukegan campus, and now the Associate Professor of Philosophy and Director of the Honors Program at University of Detroit Mercy, addressed the gathering.

In his speech entitled, "Coming Home Again?" David spoke to the "Socratic Spirit" of Shimer and whether or not it can persist with Shimerians, no matter the era or location. He examined the individuals Shimer attracts and the consistency of those students’ character in both the past and present. As David points out, those who make the decision to attend, so long as the curriculum persists, must obviously share the values of their academic descendants. They, like him, chose to pursue an education that will make a fundamental difference in their lives. David remarked that "without you [Shimer], I would have never discovered just how large the world is, within which I found nothing less than my very self. I owe you everything. And I thank you." David ended with a quote from the St. Crispin Day speech in Henry V, "We few, we happy few, we band of brothers" so do we all persist together, as through us, does Shimer's ideal persist. Read David's entire speech.

The arousing keynote was followed by recognition of students on the Dean's list for last semester, as well as Professor Stuart Patterson for completing the teaching every class in the core curriculum. The afternoon was concluded by a performance by the Elgin Symphony Orchestra String Trio. Thank you to alumna and Board of Trustee Member Shirley Conibear ('68) for making the concert possible.