This ever-popular contest between Morehouse College and �ֲ���ý students honors Dr. Mays, a �ֲ���ý debater, longtime president of Morehouse, pioneer of the civil rights movement, and primary mentor to Martin Luther King Jr. This year’s motion: “This House believes that social justice movements should prioritize socioeconomic class over race and gender.” 

Join us for Convocation 2016, beginning at 11 a.m., Sept. 6.:

The 2016 Convocation speaker is Dan Gediman, co-editor of This I Believe, a book series that offers collections of personal philosophies of Americans, from the famous to the unknown. Based on the radio series with the same title, This I Believe is the Common Reading for the Class of 2020.

Gediman, a longtime producer for public radio shows such as All Things Considered, Morning Edition, Marketplace, and This American Life, will be joined by fellow speakers President Clayton Spencer, Student Government President Adedire Fakorede ’18 of Newark, N.J., and Multifaith Chaplain Brittany Longsdorf.

Convocation begins with the traditional academic procession to the Historic Quad, followed by the arrival of the 499-member Class of 2020.

9–10:30����

The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Keynote

Peter J. Gomes Chapel

Overview and Welcome: Rakiya Mohamed ’18; Matthew R. Auer, Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean of the Faculty; A. Clayton Spencer, President of �ֲ���ý College; and James Reese, Associate Dean of Students for International Students Programs

Introduction of Keynote Speaker: Joseph Hall, Associate Professor of History

Keynote Address: The Half Life of Freedom
William Jelani Cobb

William Jelani Cobb is an associate professor of history at the University of Connecticut and a staff writer for The New Yorker. As a historian, he specializes in post-Civil War African American history, 20th-century American politics, and the history of the Cold War. As a journalist and commentator, Cobb is known for his examinations of issues around race, society, and politics. His books include The Substance of Hope: Barack Obama and the Paradox of Progress (Bloomsbury 2010) and To The Break of Dawn: A Freestyle on the Hip Hop Aesthetic (NYU Press 2007), a finalist for the National Award for Arts Writing. Cobb’s forthcoming book is titled Antidote to Revolution: African American Anticommunism and the Struggle for Civil Rights, 1931–1957.

Closing: James Reese, Associate Dean of Students

3:45pm

The Rev. Benjamin Elijah Mays Debate

Olin Concert Hall

This ever-popular event brings together students from Morehouse and �ֲ���ý colleges in honor of the Rev. Benjamin E. Mays, Class of 1920, a �ֲ���ý debater, longtime Morehouse president, and pioneer of the civil rights movement. This year’s motion: “To ameliorate racial discrimination in the criminal justice system, this house believes that police reform is more important than prison reform. ” Free but tickets required, or by calling 207-786-6400.

Convocation took place on Tuesday, September 8 at 11 a.m.:

The 2015 Convocation speaker was Danielle Allen, author of the prizewinning 2014 study Our Declaration, a book chosen as the Common Reading for this year’s incoming Class of 2019.

Allen, a political philosopher and professor of education and government at Harvard University, gave the annual Convocation address at �ֲ���ý at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 8, on the Historic Quad. This ceremony began the academic year and welcomed the 518 members of the Class of 2019 to �ֲ���ý.

Read more about Danielle Allen and Our Declaration.

Wishing you a happy holiday filled with all the joy and laughter of the season.