Charles Nailen/The Hoya University President Leo J. O’Donovan, S.J., congratualates Honorary Degree Awardee William C. McFadden, S.J., at Monday’s Senior Convocation.

In the absence of a unified graduation ceremony, seniors from the four undergraduate schools participated in Monday’s second Senior Convocation, an event organizers say will become an annual Georgetown tradition.

Attended by graduating seniors and university faculty and staff, the ceremony included the awarding of a honorary degree to former Theology Department Chair and current Professor William C. cFadden, S.J., presentation of the senior class gift and speeches from three student speakers.

University Provost Dorothy Brown said the construction of the Southwest Quadrangle Project and the resulting limited parking capacity prevented a unified commencement ceremony. Since 1987, graduation ceremonies have been separated by school.

“I would hope for a unified graduation ceremony after the Southwest Quadrangle is completed,” Brown said.

Brown said the Convocation’s theme “The Gift” reflected the contributions of both the graduates and the university to Georgetown’s growing identity.

“They are the gifts of leadership and scholarship . gifts of the future and present,” Brown said.

John Glavin, head of the convocation committee and a professor of English, said the convocation and its theme are based on the Freshmen Convocation held during New Student Orientation where the incoming students receive academic gowns and participate in a similar ceremony.

“Back in a ceremony that carefully echoes the first one, we celebrate the fulfillment, the realization of that initial gift and all that it implied,” Glavin said. “We also mark the moment when the impetus turns.”

After accepting his honorary degree, McFadden told seniors to follow the example of founder of the Jesuit order St. Ignatius Loyola and ignore societal and peer pressure to rush into a particular career.

“Just take your time,” he said.

Chair of the Senior Class Committee Jamal Epps (COL ’01) presented University President Leo J. O’Donovan, S.J. with a potted shrub, symbolizing the senior class gift of a Southwest Quadrangle beautification project. Epps said the gift is a “demonstration of dedication to Georgetown.”

According to Epps, the gift includes plans for a plot of trees, several benches and a plaque. The Southwest Quadrangle Project is scheduled to be completed in Fall 2003 and will include a new residence hall, dining hall, four-level underground parking facility and a new Jesuit living community.

Promising to keep the plant alive until the Southwest Quadrangle is complete, O’Donovan said he was proud the graduating senior and their accomplishments.

“I’ve had no greater gift that to share four years with this class,” O’Donovan said.

Chosen by a selection committee with representatives from all four schools, Liam Price (SFS ’01), Ahin Thomas (COL ’01) and Meagan Baird (NHS ’01) spoke about their understanding of the “gift of four years,” during the Convocation ceremony.

Each of the speeches addressed a different aspect of the Georgetown experience, including the active, academic and personal lives of the university.

According to Glavin, the selection process unanimously chose the three seniors after an audition.

Glavin said he believes the committee made “very good choices.”