Dr. Cady Short-Thompson welcomed the members of the incoming Class of 2021 during Hope College’s Opening Convocation on Sunday, Aug. 27, in the Richard and Helen DeVos Fieldhouse.

  • Students and faculty members process into the Richard and Helen DeVos Fieldhouse during Hope College’s Opening Convocation for the Class of 2021. The students are walking in two lines, carrying papers, with faculty members dressed in academic regalia standing to the side. The bleachers and stage can be seen in the background.
  • Four faculty members in academic regalia converse in the Richard and Helen DeVos Fieldhouse during Hope College’s Opening Convocation.
  • Faculty members in academic regalia stand in a row during Hope College’s Opening Convocation. The event welcomes the incoming Class of 2021, with speaker Dr. Cady Short-Thompson emphasizing the metaphor of the table to illustrate community and inclusion.
  • Dr. Cady Short-Thompson speaks at the podium during Hope College's Opening Convocation. She is dressed in academic regalia and gestures with her hands. Two other individuals, also in academic regalia, sit on either side of the podium. The stage is adorned with colorful floral arrangements.
  • A group of students dressed in purple and white robes sing together during Hope College’s Opening Convocation in the Richard and Helen DeVos Fieldhouse. Each student holds a black folder with sheet music as they perform.
  • A group of Hope College students stands closely together at the Opening Convocation in the Richard and Helen DeVos Fieldhouse, holding programs and appearing attentive. Some students are gazing forward, while others are looking at their programs. The atmosphere is one of anticipation and focus, marking the formal start of the academic year.
  • A speaker in academic regalia addresses the audience at Hope College’s Opening Convocation in the Richard and Helen DeVos Fieldhouse, with a cross and a colorful banner in the background.
  • Two professors in academic regalia stand among a crowd of students during Hope College’s Opening Convocation. One professor wears a pink gown and cap with a medallion around his neck, while the other wears a maroon and black gown. Young students can be seen in the background, attentively observing the event.
  • Faculty members in academic regalia stand in a row holding programs during Hope College’s Opening Convocation at the Richard and Helen DeVos Fieldhouse. Other faculty members in similar attire are visible in the background, engaged in conversation.
  • A group of students at Hope College's Opening Convocation, held on August 27 in the Richard and Helen DeVos Fieldhouse, are standing closely together, each holding and reading a program booklet. One student in the foreground is wearing glasses and a yellow bow tie.
  • Two faculty members in academic regalia engage in conversation during Hope College’s Opening Convocation for the Class of 2021 in the Richard and Helen DeVos Fieldhouse. The man on the left is smiling and gesturing with his hand while speaking to the man on the right.
  • A group of faculty members in academic regalia stands in a line, smiling and facing a crowd of students and attendees during Hope College’s Opening Convocation in the Richard and Helen DeVos Fieldhouse.
  • A man in a bright pink academic gown speaks passionately at a podium during Hope College’s Opening Convocation. A cross and flag are visible in the background.
  • Dr. Cady Short-Thompson addresses the incoming Class of 2021 during Hope College’s Opening Convocation at the Richard and Helen DeVos Fieldhouse. She stands at a podium on a stage with three seated individuals behind her, including a sign language interpreter, in front of a large audience of students. An American flag and a Christian flag are positioned on either side of the stage.
  • A group of students, some holding papers, stand together during Hope College’s Opening Convocation in the Richard and Helen DeVos Fieldhouse. The students are dressed casually, and the background shows a blurred crowd.
  • A large group of students standing in rows, attentively reading from programs during Hope College’s Opening Convocation in the Richard and Helen DeVos Fieldhouse. The students are dressed in casual attire, and the atmosphere is focused and solemn.
  • Faculty members in academic regalia process during Hope College’s Opening Convocation, with a focus on a man wearing a black cap and light blue hood.
  • A choir dressed in colorful academic robes sings while a conductor in black academic attire leads them with expressive hand gestures. The scene takes place in an indoor venue with blue flooring and beige brick walls.
  • A choir of Hope College students dressed in colorful robes, singing during the Opening Convocation in the Richard and Helen DeVos Fieldhouse.
  • A woman in academic regalia speaks at a podium during Hope College’s Opening Convocation in the Richard and Helen DeVos Fieldhouse. A Christian flag with a cross is visible in the background.
  • Students from the incoming Class of 2021 walk in a procession during Hope College’s Opening Convocation, with faculty members in academic regalia standing to the side, in the Richard and Helen DeVos Fieldhouse.
  • Students and faculty gather in the Richard and Helen DeVos Fieldhouse for the Hope College Opening Convocation, marking the formal start of the academic year. The arena is filled with rows of seated people and others standing, with the faculty dressed in academic regalia.
  • Students and faculty gather in the Richard and Helen DeVos Fieldhouse for the Hope College Opening Convocation, marking the formal start of the academic year. The arena is filled with rows of seated people and others standing, with the faculty dressed in academic regalia.
  • A close-up of several faculty members in academic regalia, including a person wearing a red cap with yellow tassels and glasses, attentively listening during Hope College’s Opening Convocation in the Richard and Helen DeVos Fieldhouse.
  • Dr. Cady Short-Thompson, wearing academic regalia, converses with attendees during Hope College’s Opening Convocation in the Richard and Helen DeVos Fieldhouse. She holds a folder and keys, engaging warmly with a group of people standing around her.
  • Faculty members in academic regalia engage in conversation during Hope College's Opening Convocation. A woman in black and blue robes speaks animatedly to a man in red robes, while others around them hold programs.
  • A group of students, from the incoming Class of 2021, standing together and holding papers, attending Hope College’s Opening Convocation in the Richard and Helen DeVos Fieldhouse. The students are attentively listening, some in casual attire, others in dresses, with a backdrop of other attendees and graduates.
  • Dr. Cady Short-Thompson, dressed in academic regalia, speaks at a podium during Hope College’s Opening Convocation. An American flag is visible behind her, and the podium features the Hope College seal. A colorful floral arrangement is in the foreground.
  • A group of faculty members in academic regalia sing or read from programs during Hope College’s Opening Convocation in the Richard and Helen DeVos Fieldhouse.
  • Dr. Cady Short-Thompson, wearing academic regalia, smiles and gestures while speaking with a male colleague also in academic regalia during Hope College’s Opening Convocation in the Richard and Helen DeVos Fieldhouse.

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