Easter Convocation

President of the Order of the Gown Alexis Miniat, C’25, delivered the below Remarks at the Easter Convocation on Friday, Jan. 17, 2025

Full text of Alexis Miniat's remarks:

Good afternoon. I would like to begin by thanking Vice Chancellor Pearigen, Provost Wilson, the deans, and the faculty for their work. Without them we would not be in this space together today. Thank you to the friends, family, and mentors who have joined us for this special occasion. Most importantly, thank you to the students—the ones receiving their gowns today—for their dedication, perseverance, and outstanding academic achievements, which we are here to celebrate.

As you receive your gown today, you become inducted into one of the oldest, and most distinctive traditions at Sewanee. The Order of the Gown was established in 1873, as both an academic honor society and as an organization charged with maintaining the spirit, traditions, and ideals of Sewanee as the years would pass. It is the embodiment of Sewanee’s pillars of honor, respect, community, and equality.

The gown of 1873 is not the gown of 2025. It has changed much over the years as these values have grown and shifted, most notably almost 50 years after the admittance of women, the Order of the Gownsmen was voted to become the Order of the Gown—to reflect the changing student body. We have shaped and evolved the order of the gown in those 152 years, with inclusion and a renewed commitment to community service. The one constant is that the Order of the Gown serves as a universal symbol of academic excellence, and a commitment to live in EQB and make our community a better place.

Now that you have achieved this incredible honor, something I want to share with you is that donning the gown as you enter the gates of this hallowed institution does not open doors. It is the choice of what you do with it. The choices you make as a member of this organization each day to better Sewanee, better your community, and better yourself—this, friends, is what will open doors for you. By your induction into the Order of the Gown, yes, you get some perks—and they are pretty good ones—but the threads you are about to put on your back don’t get you the good grades, the internship, the strong community, or even a degree. This is entirely up to you. But as a member of the Order of the Gown you will be surrounded by a community of those who strive to do more and your effort to be with this community, to grow those bonds and initiate change. We are charged as active members of the gown to support and develop this community, both here and after your time at Sewanee.

To foster this community and create positive change, you must embrace every moment of Sewanee, learn what it has to offer, inspect and criticize what may seem like fact. Be the beacons of change as the Order continues to evolve and progress in the coming years.

As I reflect back on four years ago, when I first walked through the gates to begin my journey at Sewanee, there are some things that I wish to impart to you. I hope your time at Sewanee is slow. I hope you don’t walk too fast to class and smile at those who walk by. I hope you soak in the warm days at Lake Cheston and make flower crowns from wild daisies. I hope you wear your gown on a sunny day just to take it off to use it as a picnic blanket in front of the library as a study break with your friends. I hope you pause to ask all the questions and take the time to sit down and listen to the wisdom of the people and nature around you.

In short—I hope you take your time at Sewanee to embody the gown. I hope you give it good stories that breathe life into our motto of EQB. And more than hope—I ask that you represent us well, and I dare you to ask everyday what more can be done. And then, when you leave this mountain for the last time, I ask you to leave the gown behind, but take Sewanee with you every step after. Take these values of honor, respect, community, and equality beyond the gates.

Thank you and EQB.