May Day Weekend: A Campus-Wide Celebration

May 8, 2024

May Day Weekend was certainly a busy one for Converse. Students, families, friends, faculty, and staff gathered to enjoy a fun-filled two-day experience, including food, fellowship, time-honored traditions, and so much more! We hope you enjoy this recap of the celebrations from the weekend.

Leadership Awards & SGA Installation Ceremony

Our family and friends weekend kicked off on Friday, May 3 with Converse’s Leadership Awards and Student Government Association’s Installation Ceremony. Awards recognized students and faculty who created exceptional student experiences at the undergraduate and graduate level. Converse’s newly elected student leaders were also sworn in. This included:

President: Abeeha Sajid

Vice President: Keira Van Zyl

Secretary: D’asia Thomas

Treasurer: Michael Leyva-Pacheco

Honor Board Chair: Grace Baum

Civitas Chair: Leslie Ramirez

CAB Chair: Anier Colon-Flores

Diversity Initiatives Chair: Sumandeep Ghataora

Valkyries Club Chair: Kaillou Touch

Social Media & Elections Chair: Larrisa Ferretiz

President of Religious Life Council: Gurjot Bahia

Following the ceremony, guests gathered in the Wilson Hall lobby for desserts and drinks before heading over to Twichell Auditorium for an exceptional performance by the Converse Symphony Orchestra and Wind Ensemble.

Valkyrie Fun Run

Our early birds on Saturday braved the drizzle and kicked off their morning with a two-mile jog or stroll that started on campus and made its way past the President’s House in the historic Converse Heights neighborhood.

Freshman Pinning Ceremony

After snagging some much-needed coffee and donuts in Wilson Hall lobby, students and guests gathered for the Freshman Pinning Ceremony. This time-honored tradition recognizes the completion of a student’s first year at Converse.

During his welcome, President Boone Hopkins shared, “What a phenomenal start to your Converse journey it has been. You are creative thinkers, passionate advocates, and transformative leaders. You are game-changers – and I look forward to when we all come back together with the enthusiasm of the fall term.”

Spirit of Converse Community Award Ceremony

After the Freshman Pinning, Converse hosted the Spirit of Converse Award Ceremony, formerly known as May Day Court. This renewed event provided Converse the opportunity to bring faculty, staff, and students together to celebrate some of the university’s most distinguished awards. This included:

The Cato Award for Faculty Excellence

The Cato Award is given to a faculty member who demonstrates excellence in undergraduate teaching, advising, and mentoring. The 2024 Cato Award went to Associate Professor of Art, Dr. Jenna Thomas.

Left to right: Dean Rhonda Mingo, Daphnie Glenn, President Boone Hopkins

The Dukes Family Staff Award

The Dukes Award is given each year to a staff member who demonstrates exceptional contribution to Converse, outstanding service to students or visitors, and/or extraordinary public service to Converse or the greater community. The 2024 Dukes Family Staff Award went to Director of First Generation Programs and Student Success Initiatives, Daphnie Glenn.

Dukes Family Faculty Award for Scholarly and Creative Achievement

The Dukes Family Faculty Award is given each year to a faculty member demonstrating excellence in scholarship or creative activities. The 2024 Dukes Family Faculty Award went to Assistant Professor of Marriage and Family Therapy, Dr. Evan Thomas.

Spirit of Converse Award

The Spirit of Converse Award is presented to employees who embody the core values of the university and positively impact the Converse community through their professional and personal contributions. The 2024 Spirit of Converse Award went to Assistant Dean of Academic Advising and Converse II, Tammy Stokes.

Spirit of the Valkyrie Award and the Core Values Awards

Converse also awarded the inaugural Spirit of the Valkyrie Award and the Core Values Awards to seven dynamic students. These awards celebrate students who demonstrate an unwavering commitment to Converse’s core values. The 2024 Spirit of the Valkyrie Award went to Ryleigh Henderson and our 2024 Core Value Award recipients included: Neely Vander Ploeg Adams, Emily Ingle, Amaia Parkins, Samantha White, Jasmyn Williams, and Sydney Wilson.

Junior Ring Ceremony

Celebrations continued in Twichell Auditorium with the Junior Ring Ceremony that recognizes the completion of a student’s third year at Converse. During the ceremony, Kelly Daniels Lewis ’04, a school counselor working in the Fort Mill school system, shared a heartwarming and inspiring address with attendees.

Academic Awards & Scholarship Presentation

Following a wonderful lunch in Gee Dining Room, guests gathered to celebrate the outstanding academic achievements of our students at the Academic Awards and Scholarship Presentation.

Dean Chandra Hopkins places a bracelet on a CCW student's wrist.

The full list of award recipients can be found here.

The CCW Sophomore Sisterhood Bracelet Ceremony

Sophomores within the Converse College for Women experienced the beloved tradition of receiving their bracelets inscribed with Converse’s core values. The bracelets serve as a beautiful reminder of the strength of the Converse network.

Pop-in with the President & Provost

After a jam-packed day of awards and recognitions, the campus took a moment to unwind at the Fretwell. Guests enjoyed great conversation and some acoustic tunes played by music student Isaiah Caston ’25.

Valkyries Choice Awards

The student-athletes walked the red carpet as they made their way to the third annual Valkyrie Choice Awards, where a total of 22 awards were presented to student-athletes and staff members and the women’s track & field team won team of the year.

View the May Day Weekend Highlights Album

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