By Suzy Alstrin
The 141st year of Reinhardt began with a moving tradition — the annual induction ceremony for first-year students. Faculty and administrators processed into Flint Hall as bright-eyed students eagerly anticipated the program marking the beginning of their college careers.
Over 420 students and faculty attended the 25th annual induction ceremony on August 15th. As the students entered the hall, they received a silver eagle charm. Later in the program, President Roberts asked them to remember this moment and wear the charm again at graduation to signal how far they will have grown over four years.
Following warm welcomes from President Mark A. Roberts, PhD and Vice President of Academic Affairs John Miles, Ph.D., students heard words of inspiration from keynote speaker Luke Williams (RU-2018), president of the Alumni Board of Governors. Williams spoke of integrity and offered words of advice for a successful collegiate career saying, “I encourage you to surround yourself with people of similar values.”
Each student signed their name to the Honor Pledge printed onto a large plaque, which reads in part, “We are devoted to the principles of integrity, honesty, and individual responsibility. The plaque will be displayed in the Tarpley Education Center.
Macain Pharr (RU-2025), President of the Student Government Association, officially inducted the class saying, “In signing the [honor] pledge, you join a new community, a community of scholars, who have vowed to pursue knowledge honorably, and to apply their knowledge usefully in service to public good.”
The ceremony ended with the faculty and administration processing out of Flint Hall and out the front doors of the Falany Performing Arts Center followed by the students. As the sun set, all joyfully cheered and marched with candles lighting the way to the Tarpley Education Center. There the students rang the Tarpley Bell, signaling their presence as members of the University community. They will also ring the bell just prior to commencement in 2028 to celebrate the completion of their studies.
