Advent Semester Convocation Features Address by Dr. Renia Dotson, C’88
Sept. 22, 2026
The University of the South held its Advent Semester Convocation on Friday, Sept. 18, to induct new members into the Order of the Gown and share the winners of student awards and prizes.
Following the opening prayer and readings, Provost Scott Wilson announced the student awards and honors. A full list of awards and recipients is available here.
Provost Wilson also recognized four faculty who have been appointed to endowed chairs: Associate Professor of English and Creative Writing Kevin Wilson was named the Ogden D. Carlton II Distinguished Professor; Professor of Politics Mila Dragojevic was named the Class of 1961 Chair of the College; Professor of Classical Languages Stephanie McCarter was named the William R. Kenan, Jr. Professor; and Assistant Professor of Anthropology Emily Sharp was named the John D. MacArthur Assistant Professor.
Vice-Chancellor Rob Pearigen then invited Dr. Renia Dotson, C’88, to give the Convocation address.
A 1988 graduate of the College, Dotson has devoted years of service to Sewanee while simultaneously serving the people of Mississippi as a public health leader. She became a member of Sewanee’s Board of Regents in 2018 and was elected chair in 2024, becoming the first African American to hold the position in the University’s history. She currently serves as Mississippi's state epidemiologist, having previously served as the director of the Center for Public Health Transformation at the Mississippi State Department of Health, and practiced general, and colon and rectal surgery for over 20 years in the Delta Health System. In addition to her biology degree from Sewanee, she holds a medical degree from the University of South Alabama College of Medicine, and an M.P.H. in healthcare organization and policy and an M.B.A., both from the University of Alabama, Birmingham.
During her remarks, Dotson spoke on the theme of stewardship, noting that it is far greater than just a financial construct at institutions like Sewanee, but is also a moral, communal, and generational responsibility involving all members of the community. “True stewardship requires more intention. It is an active, moral obligation rooted in truth-telling—a shared commitment to leave this Mountain better than we found it,” said Dotson. “Whatever this community becomes next is on us.”
Reflecting on her experience as an African American student and alumna, Dotson recognized the necessity of not only truth-telling, but of being willing to ask hard questions, mentioning the work of the Roberson Project on Slavery, Race, and Reconciliation as one example of this idea in practice. “Sewanee’s commitment to unity, community, and the common good has never been more vital,” said Dotson. “So today, on this Mountain, each of us must ask ... What is Sewanee to us, and what is mine to do?” Watch Dotson’s full remarks here.
Order of the Gown President Betsy Baker, C’27, then addressed the new members of the order, speaking first about the origins of the order before acknowledging how the organization’s values have evolved over time to become more inclusive of all members of the community. “Generations of students before us, all the way back to the first class of Gownsmen, have defined and refined the purpose of these values on campus for themselves—slowly, with great effort and great dedication, we have come into a fuller representation of the responsibility of EQB,” said Baker. “Now, as members, it is your turn to take up the work of improving this living, learning, ever-evolving institution—it is hard, good work, and you are prepared to do it well.” Watch Baker’s full remarks here.
Vice-Chancellor Pearigen then formally admitted the new members of the Order of the Gown, concluding the ceremony.
A list of all new members of the Order of the Gown is available here.
The Convocation was livestreamed for those unable to attend; the video is available below.
