T H E C E R E M O N Y
Although many students did
not realize what Aurora meant at
the time, they knew that the
Academy would be their home for
the next three years. With that
thought in mind, they walked into
the auditorium wide-eyed, eager,
and some a bit uneasy for the
Opening Convocation of the
Charter Class of 1989. Some
hoped to catch a glimpse of their
peers and soon to be professors.
Introduced by music selections
played by the band, the faculty,
administrators, and honored
guests marched in with a dignified
air, all decked out — cap and
gown, some with added flags
upon their shoulders. Who was to
say, "This guy is weird." or " . . .
all she does is talk on the phone?"
or "Wow, professor of physical
education!"
The word Aurora
is Latin for Dawn. It is
serendipitious that this is
now our home.
— Dr. Stephanie Marshall
The Charter Class was then
welcomed and congratulated
(once and again) by the Board of
Trustees President, James D.
Pearson, Dr. Stephanie Marshall,
and key note speaker, Dr. Leon
Lederman, director of Fermi
National Accelerator Laboratory.
Dr. Lederman had given some
vital statistics on the future of this
class. It was surprising to find out
that 1% of the students could end
up in the state penitentiary and
that only .3% of the class would
win the Nobel Prize.
This was the starting gun that
began the year for the IMSA
Charter Class of 1989 on
September 7, 1987.
Top: Dr. Stephanie Marshall gave an
inspiring welcome to IMSA's charter
class.
Bottom: Special speaker, Dr. Leon
Lederman made great predictions
about the future of the Academy's
Class of'89.
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