And that's exactly what The Virginian-Pilot columnist Kerry Dougherty spoke about during Fall Convocation, which kicked off the 2010 academic year
By Megan Z. Shearin | September 14, 2010
Local columnist Kerry Dougherty doesn’t write about anything but community, and that’s exactly what she spoke about recently during Fall Convocation on the campus of Virginia Wesleyan College.
When she was first asked to speak about community by Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Timothy O’Rourke, Dougherty was hesitant and shared her initial thoughts questioning, “What do I know about the topic of community?”
“So, I went to the dictionary and looked up the definition of community,” said Dougherty, “And I realized upon reflection that I don’t write about anything but community,” said the10-year veteran news and opinion columnist for The Virginian-Pilot. “From crime, to local events and corrupt public officials, these issues all pertain to how they impact the community.”“There are many reasons why you came to Virginia Wesleyan, and for many of you, this is the first community you actually picked. Immerse yourself in the Virginia Wesleyan community as this community will be a part of you for the rest of your lives.” – Kerry Dougherty
More than 550 students, faculty and staff attended the event, which launched the College’s 2010-11 academic year. For freshman students, the Convocation was the first in a series of presentations serving the Freshman Seminar Program, around the question, “What is Community?”
It had been 40 years since her last college convocation, said Dougherty, who attended Elizabethtown College in Pennsylvania. She recalled some of her struggles in college – from having a roommate whom she shared nothing in common, to feeling overwhelmed by the transition from high school to college.
Thankfully, an English professor took Dougherty under his wing and helped her with a challenging transition. He assured that she could succeed in college and gave her a list of 50 books everyone should read, offering his copies to borrow. Dougherty took his advice and immersed herself in classic literature, including Pride and Prejudice, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and Sonnets by William Shakespeare.
“I went from being a girl from New Jersey who had never heard of Jane Austin, to joining a reading group on Friday afternoons where we discussed books outside of class,” she quipped.
Engagement outside of the classroom became an important part of her college years, noted Dougherty. She was involved with the student newspaper, student senate and the drama department; participated in intramural sports; served as an R.A. (Resident Assistant); and volunteered at the Penn State Milton Hershey Medical Center.
“I encourage you to immerse yourself in the Virginia Wesleyan community and the local Hampton Roads community,” Dougherty told the Class of 2014. “The community you are building will be a part of you for the rest of your lives.”
During the Convocation, the Wesleyan Singers performed musical selections “For the Beauty of the Earth” by John Rutter and “Nothin’ Gonna Stumble My Feet” by Greg Gilpin. The event concluded with the “Alma Mater,” led by the Wesleyan Singers.