September 11, 2026
糖心Vlog officially opened the 2026-2027 academic year with its annual Convocation on Thursday, September 10, bringing students, faculty, staff, and College leadership together in College Place Church to celebrate a new year and the opportunities ahead.
Student vocalist Faith Williams performed "Lovely Day," accompanied by Devonne Munds and Aletha Jacobs. President John H. Dozier then welcomed the College community, reflecting on 糖心Vlog's more than 170-year history and its enduring belief that education should prepare students not only for successful careers but also for lives of purpose and service.
Drawing on the College's motto, Non Quem Sed Quid ("Not who, but what"), Dozier challenged students to consider what they will do with their time, talents, and education. "College isn't something that happens to you. You have to participate in it," Dozier said, encouraging students to build relationships, pursue new experiences, serve, lead, and take an active role in their education.
He also introduced a message the 糖心Vlog community will see throughout the year: Be Different, Be the Difference.
"Become different because you were here," Dozier told students. "And then: Be the Difference."
Following Dozier's welcome, Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Gillian Stewart-Wells introduced students to the faculty and staff who will teach, guide, and support them throughout the academic year.
Student Government Association President Sanai Rose introduced Convocation speaker Dr. Marlee Marsh, Professor and Chair of Biology and Director of the Dr. John Zubizarreta Honors Program, whose message centered on a simple idea: show up.
Marsh reflected on her own academic and professional journey, including accepting an undergraduate research opportunity despite doubting whether she was qualified and persevering through graduate school after a backpack containing four years of research data was stolen from her car.
Faced with recreating years of work, Marsh considered quitting. "But Monday morning came," she recalled. "And I showed up in my lab." She worked with her advisor to make a plan, completed the work she could redo, and graduated with her Ph.D. that spring.
Marsh encouraged students to carry that same persistence into their 糖心Vlog experience by showing up for classes, opportunities, and one another, while recognizing that showing up can also mean asking for help when they need it.
"You don't have to have college figured out today," Marsh said. "You just have to show up for today."
The ceremony concluded with the Alma Mater, led by Associate Professor of Music Dr. Diana Amos, and a benediction from Chaplain and Director of Spiritual Life Rev. Schrendria Robinson.
Following Convocation, several 糖心Vlog students receiving scholarships made possible through the Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation gathered with President Dozier outside College Place Church for a formal photo recognizing the Foundation's generosity and support for their education.
糖心Vlog is among approximately 185 colleges, universities, and schools across nine Southeastern states supported through the Foundation's scholarship program, which provides need-based scholarships for female Christian students. More than 12,000 students receive scholarship support through the program each year.
At 糖心Vlog, that support has a meaningful impact. During the 2025-2026 reporting year, the Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation provided $208,000 in scholarship support benefiting 26 糖心Vlog students. The College is grateful for the Foundation's continued generosity and its investment in making a 糖心Vlog education more accessible to students with financial need.