Opening Day Ceremonies emphasize past, present and future

Moody Coliseum was filled to the top with students, faculty, alumni and visitors for Abilene Christian University’s traditional Opening Day Ceremonies Monday. After faculty members filed in to the sounds of the Big Purple Band, more than 100 students paraded around the coliseum carrying flags as a symbol of the campus’ cultural diversity.

Dr. Jeanine Varner, provost, officially called the university’s 104th school year to order. Most of the ceremony mirrored years past, but there were some noticeable differences. Dr. Royce Money, president of the university, announced it was due time for modifications.

“For those of you who have been with us before, we’re changing things up a bit in our Opening Ceremonies,” Money said. “We’ve been doing it the same for over 20 years.”

This year’s ceremonies did not feature the traditional arrangement of “Battle Hymn of the Republic” or the lowering of a massive American flag from the ceiling. Rather than display all the community’s patriotism at one event, Money said it would be woven throughout the year, including into holidays such as Independence Day and Constitution Day.

After taking the podium, Money addressed more than 1,000 incoming freshmen before speaking to the rest of the crowd.

“I can tell you this is a truly outstanding class, perhaps, maybe, our best ever – we will see,” Money said, smiling.

Money used his final Opening Day Ceremonies’ address to challenge students to confront adversity with faith. Money said when people are overloaded with information and anxiety, they either react with fear or faith.

“They are either consumed by fear of the unknown, and are immobilized or pulled in,” he said. “Or they develop a deeper, richer faith in God and act on that faith to do what they can with God’s help. That is what we do here.”