Monthly Reflection

May 2012

Houghton President, Shirley A. Mullen On May 12, 2012, Houghton College hosted Commencement for the 297 members of the Class of 2012 as well as the 50^th class reunion for nearly 60 members of the Class of 1962. The weekend was filled with memorable moments — hearing the major honors students talk about their work at a tea in their honor; dedicating the whimsical class gift from the Class of 2012 (an adult swing set); watching the Class of 1962 laugh together over various long-remembered aspects of their life at Houghton; recognizing a graduating senior who had perfect attendance in chapel for all four years — a first in recorded Houghton history; following the bagpipers in a processional around the quad on the way into Baccalaureate and Commencement; and enjoying Dr. Richard Foster’s challenging Commencement speech on the liberating power of a liberal arts education. Furthermore, the weather could not possibly have been better!

Perhaps my favorite part, however, was the luncheon that brought together leaders from the Class of 1962 and the Class of 2012 for a time of dialogue and discussion about their Houghton experience. It was the first time we tried this, and I honestly did not know how it would go.