Kuyper Celebrates Opening Convocation
Dr. Richelle White asked a simple question as Kuyper
students, staff and faculty gathered in the 
Vos Chapel on September 3 for the College’s annual opening Convocation.
“What are you going to do,” she said. “The choice is yours.”
White has been a beloved member of the Kuyper community for more than a decade and serves as Professor of Youth Ministry and Director of Field Practicum and Internships. Outside of her work at Kuyper, she is an ordained minister, teacher, writer, consultant and life coach.
And, as she recalled for the audience, she too has faced the question she asked.
While joining a sorority in college, she was required to spend a set amount of time studying each week, which meant she kept excellent grades.
“I made a wise choice in selecting a sorority that emphasized scholarship,” she said.
However, once that requirement disappeared upon initiation, she began to prefer socializing with her sorority sisters instead. This meant her grades suffered and her college career was put in jeopardy.
“That semester, I made some foolish choices, but the choice was mine,” White said.
As the Kuyper community begins a new semester, she added, each of her listeners will also have choices to make.
Referencing Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, found in Matthew 7: 24-27, she emphasized that building lives upon Jesus’ teachings will help in making the right choice.
White’s message was an appropriate centerpiece to a Convocation service that celebrated the start of an academic year focused on the theme, “God Is Our Firm Foundation.”
This means that in chapel services throughout the year, Kuyper students, faculty and staff will explore and practice what it means to build lives upon the good news of Jesus.
President Patricia Harris was excited to unveil the new theme as she opened Convocation and welcomed the attendees.
Dr. Harris also offered a prayer for the proceedings, thanking God for the ability to gather together, for the beginning of a new academic year and for the students, staff and faculty in the pews.
“We acknowledge that You are the Giver of every good gift – our learning, our relationships, our service and ourselves. Thank you for being such a generous God,” she said.
After Dr. Harris’ welcome and opening prayer, Dr. Tim Detwiler, Academic Dean, acknowledged new members of the staff and faculty and introduced them to the community.
“Welcome to Kuyper, all of our new folks and returning folks,” he said. “We are so glad you’re here as we begin yet another wonderful year.”
Dr. White’s keynote address came next and then payroll specialist Kailey Pardue led a confession of faith, where all present pledged to cling to the truth of Jesus Christ and His redeeming work in the coming months.
Jordan Carlson, Ministry Leadership student, and Tom Aldrich, Director of Program Development and Educational Technology, echoed this vow when they led members of the audience in prayer. Each offered their own—Aldrich for the faculty and staff and Carlson for the students—asking God for the strength to follow Him in the new academic year.
Dr. Harris then returned to the podium to deliver a charge for the new academic year.
“I charge us all to let Christ’s light shine in and through us, and may God bless all of us in this new academic year,” she said.
The service wrapped up with the singing of “Build My Life.”
