Danell Hetrick (left), Interim Vice President of Student Life, presents seniors Benjamin Norton and Hannah Wu with their Mr. and Ms. Lyon awards.
The Lyon College community had the opportunity to celebrate Founders’ Day together after missing last year’s convocation due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Interim President Melissa Taverner welcomed visitors to the convocation, relaying how special it was to be celebrating in person again.
“We’re glad you could join us as we celebrate the heritage of this great institution,” Taverner said. “We always celebrate these moments better together, so thank you all for being here.”
The event was made more special thanks to a joint performance by the Concert Chorale and the Alumni Choir, which featured six generations of Scots singing together. Associate Professor of Music Dr. Michael Oriatti directed the performance, and Director of Alumni Engagement Cindy Barber, ’85, accompanied the group on piano.
Professor of Art Dustyn Bork announced the winners of the freshman Raft Race. Dr. Maryline Jones’s Scot Week class won, earning a $120 pizza party and a plaque with their names on it in Edwards Commons. Bork’s Scot Week class won the raft design contest, earning a trip to the Melba Theater on Main Street.
Interim Vice President for Student Life Danell Hetrick announced the winners of Mr. and Ms. Lyon College. She explained that criteria for the award include scholarship ability, participation and leadership in college activities, citizenship, service to the college and community and potential for future achievements.
Benjamin Norton was named Mr. Lyon, and Hannah Wu was named Ms. Lyon.
Keynote speaker John Beller, president and chief executive officer of the Bank of Cave City, discussed a researched article about the steps people can take to breathe better and live healthier lives, encouraging seniors to apply those same lessons to their final year at Lyon College.
“If you want to breathe well, breathe in through your nose, exhale fully, breathe slowly, and chew,” Beller said. “If you want to live well, then succeed here, dive deep, express yourselves confidently and fully, do it slowly, and expand your capacity to grow and change in that process.”