Frank James Williamson, Junior Editor
New members were admitted to the Order of the Gown (OG), awards and honors were granted for academic achievement and the Sewanee Medal was presented to Professor of Religion Gerald Smith, all within the span of an hour at the University’s Advent Semester Convocation.
At 4:30 p.m. on 12 Sept. 2025 excited students and their chosen professor, alumni or member of the OG filed into All Saints’ Chapel at the same time as proud parents were seated in Guerry Auditorium, fanning themselves with programs. As the Procession entered the Chapel, all stood for singing of hymns, readings from Psalms and Proverbs, and prayers led by The Very Reverend Christopher Epperson.
All were seated for the announcement of awards and honors, by Provost Scott Wilson. Awards were given for everything from poetry to community service. Kae Massey, recipient of the Clayton Lee Burwell Scholarship for Excellence in Asian Studies, spoke on the feeling of having their work acknowledged.
“I am filled with gratitude for my nomination and am honored to have been chosen as the recipient,” Massey said. “Most of my Asian Studies classes have been in fulfillment of my Chinese studies minor and have centered around Chinese literature and film through various lenses, but all taken with Dr. Tan. I would thank her for her instruction and commitment to her students’ learning. She has made a significant contribution to my time here at Sewanee with me taking her culture classes as well as having her in my Chinese language classes.”
After the awards, the Sewanee Medal was presented to Professor Emeritus of Religion Gerald Smith, for his “extraordinary service to the life of the University,” as stated in the Convocation program.
“Dr. Gerald Smith delivered a beautiful address about Sewanee and its nature of being a place in which we are found. He encouraged the new OG members to “light a fire” and make Sewanee the best it could possibly be,” said Lily Mobley, President of the OG.
Smith’s speech was for many a highlight of the Convocation, with touching accounts of football, community, his first ever teaching gown (now a mere tatter of fabric) and the pricelessness of education.
When Smith’s address concluded, Lily Mobley alphabetically announced each new member of the OG, and Vice-Chancellor Rob Pearigen delivered a hasty declaration, because at this point students were itching to be gowned.
“Please accept your gowns,” Pearigen said, and triumphant cheers sounded.
“The Advent Convocation was a wonderful affair. We welcomed about 330 new members into the Order of the Gown,” Mobley said. “The ceremony concluded, and students joined their friends and family on the Quad for the Family Weekend welcome picnic. It was a gorgeous Sewanee night full of community and celebration, and it was the perfect way to begin the 2025 Family Weekend.”