Colors of the Flag
Members of the international student community represented their home countries Tuesday night at Rev. Brian Konkol’s installation ceremony as the new dean of Hendricks Chapel.
Bright flags and happy faces from all over the world opened the ceremony, followed by the mace pageantry led by the Student Association president, James Franco. Countries all over the world, ranging from Kenya to Germany to Canada, were proudly represented by international students. In some cases, even more than one student represented and walked on behalf of their country.
Konkol said in an interview with The International that he came to SU for several reasons, and that the international community was one of them.
“It’s in history, community, and opportunity. I saw here, again, was an opportunity to build upon a tremendous history, to receive the support of a diverse community, and to learn from such a wisdom of a diverse community,” said Konkol.
And students who participated in the ceremony agree. Maria Arroyo Pena, who represented Mexico at the ceremony, said, “I think to me, it means a space for interfaith and intercultural affairs, and a space to be safe. I feel that a lot of international students need to share that on campus, especially with modern times.”
Rev. Konkol himself has history as an international student, holding dual master and doctorate degrees from the University of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa. He said international students hold a special place in his heart thanks to his own past.
Other communities on-campus also appeared in the ceremony and gave speeches in honor of the new dean. Student Representatives of Spiritual Life Council and Chaplains of Hendricks Chapel represented the different areas of spiritual life while performing the ritual and the charge of office. Regina Jones, assistant director of the Office of Multicultural affairs, performed a Native American blessing and said that Konkol's attitude would welcome people of all identities on-campus.
“It’s openness, and his open arm attitude, you know it doesn’t matter who you are, you’re welcome at Hendricks Chapel and everyone is appreciated,” she said. With so many multicultural identities represented in the installation ceremony, it goes hand-in-hand with the new dean’s vision for Hendricks Chapel. Konkol has grown to love several things since his arrival at SU, from everyday things to different events that helped him along the way.
But most of all, it’s the spirit of the community.
“Hendricks reminds us that we need each other to become ourselves,” he said.
