The Ohio Dominican University community came together Wednesday, Aug. 19, to celebrate the start of the 2026-27 academic year and officially welcome the Class of 2030 and incoming transfer students during Opening Convocation.
A longstanding ODU tradition, Opening Convocation brings students, faculty and staff together to recognize and welcome the university’s newest members into the Panther Family.
“Convocation is a wonderful tradition. It marks a beginning, a fresh start,” ODU President Dr. Shonna Riedlinger said. “We come together as a university community not only to open a new academic year, but to recognize the beginning of a journey for each of you. Today is especially about our students. It’s also about the community that will walk alongside you.”
Convocation also introduced the university’s Core Theme for the 2026-27 academic year, “What is Justice?” Each year, the ODU community explores one of the four themes of the university’s Core Curriculum, encouraging students to engage with meaningful questions both inside and outside the classroom. Conversations surrounding this year’s theme will continue throughout the academic year through coursework, lectures and other opportunities for reflection and discussion.
This year’s keynote speaker, Aaron Dennis ’96, offered a fitting introduction to that conversation. Dennis, who majored in criminal justice at ODU, has spent the past 27 years in law enforcement and currently serves as a commission investigator with the Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission.
“It really makes me smile to see that all of you have made the choice to attend the university that has meant so much to me and my life,” Dennis said. “This very campus, the coursework, the professors, the friendships that I made here prepared me for my professional career. This truly is a special place.”
Dennis reflected on how his experiences at Ohio Dominican helped him discover a passion for serving others and ultimately shaped the direction of his career.
“It was here at ODU I became passionate about helping others, and I wanted to make a difference in my community, protecting the vulnerable in our society and pursuing justice,” Dennis said. “Ultimately, it has led to a career in law enforcement that I have been a proud member of for the past 27 years.”
His remarks offered students an example of how questions surrounding justice can extend beyond the classroom, shaping how they approach their careers, serve their communities and consider their responsibility to others.
As part of Convocation, first-year students participated in one of ODU’s longstanding customs by signing the Book of Enrollment. For 26 years, incoming students have added their signatures to the book as a symbol of their place within the Ohio Dominican community.
The next time members of the Class of 2030 will see the Book of Enrollment will be at their Commencement, when the book returns to mark the completion of the journey they began at Convocation.
Following the ceremony, students, faculty and staff gathered for a picnic-style lunch, continuing the celebration together as a university community.
Watch the full Opening Convocation ceremony here.