Castleton officially opened the 2016-17 academic year with Fall Convocation to a standing room only crowd of more than 500 students, faculty, alumni, and staff members joining President Dave Wolk for his annual State of the University Address.

President Wolk welcomed the packed Casella Theater back to campus, and shared “Together We Can Change the World”, a promotional video showcasing the authentic Castleton experience.

After recognizing new faculty and staff, the Castleton Alumni Association honored Jenna Reed ’10 with the annual Outstanding Young Alumni Award, before Wolk named senior Business Administration major Dan Warnecke the Commuter Student of the Semester.

Wolk’s address highlighted recent University projects, expansions, and partnerships. He shared news of Castleton’s investment in new and innovative programs and services in Rutland, the continued growth of the Castleton Polling Institute and downtown art galleries, new civic engagement programs, the successful Project 240 collaboration with the Paramount Theatre, a new statewide provision of graduate education in all 14 counties in Vermont through the Castleton Center for Schools, and the new collaboration with REDC; a historical and first in the country university/regional economic development partnership.

“These are hallmarks of our growth and progress as well as testimony to our connections with the Rutland region and the entire state of Vermont. We are indeed making a huge difference for our students and for Vermont,” said Wolk.

Other exciting announcements included several new international articulation agreements and partnerships with various institutions in China, as well as the university’s unwavering and enthusiastic support for the proposal to establish a new refugee resettlement program in Rutland. Wolk confidently confirmed that the upcoming academic year would celebrate cultural connections and enhance understanding related to creating a global community.

“It has warmed my heart to witness the absolute euphoria from our students, staff, alumni, and other friends over the years as we have cherished our transformation to Castleton University,” finished Wolk. “After 15 years here it is so clear to me that indeed we are one extended family, on a journey together to transform lives and to be transformed ourselves.”