Albertus Magnus College is on the brink of a major milestone. With the arrival of the new incoming class this fall at the end of August 2020, we will kick off the celebration. To get ready for the big year, we will reflect upon the rich history and focus on our future. You’ll hear the stories of our students, alumni, faculty, and staff and how we are all part of the Albertus Family. So, let’s look at the three longest, time-honored traditions at Albertus Magnus College — the Code of Honor, the Candlelight Convocation Ceremony, and Commencement outside of Rosary Hall — and why they are still important and relevant today. This writing focuses on the Candlelight Convocation Ceremony.
Moments in Time
1940s 
1990s 
2010s 
Each Albertus student receives a candle, rose, and ‘Honor’ stone. 
The Class of 2013 was the first year that adult students participated in Candlelight.
Passing the Light of Knowledge
Talk about passing the torch! During the Candlelight Ceremony, or Candlelight Convocation as it is more recently know, seniors at Albertus pass the light of knowledge to first-year students as they begin their journey as members of the Albertus Family. This is one of the oldest ceremonies at the College, and is one of the many ways we welcome you as a new student into the Albertus tradition of learning and the search for truth in all its dimensions. With the growth of academic programming and our student body, Candlelight is also held for transfer, post-graduate, and adult undergraduate students.
“A genuine community is a group of people who come together freely with a shared purpose…Ceremonies are for the purpose of creating a sacred space where your everyday lives fall to the side and you get to look more deeply at the truths and purposes that are at work. And they do something else; they ask you to act, to make a commitment to the new students, to commit yourself to the purpose of this community. For those of us who are returning, to reaffirm our commitment…Candlelight is a symbol for truth. What does it mean to be a community that is committed to truth?” Sean P. O’Connell, PH.D., Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dean of the Faculty
The Class of 1936
The first iteration of Candlelight Convocation in Albertus’ history was in reference to a customary tea between first year and senior students. While this tea ceremony between the two classes had organically been taking place years prior, it is first mentioned as a formal event in 1936:
“This year we shouldered another responsibility—Freshman sisters. Once again we decided to improve our custom when we officially welcomed them by entertaining them at tea. This was so successful that there is little doubt that it will become a school tradition.” The Class of 1936 Yearbook
Within the years of 1936 and 1939, this tea ceremony evolved into the tradition it is today. The first Candlelight photographed can be found in an Albertus Magnus College 1939 yearbook.
The Class of 2023
History was made on August 26, 2019 as Albertus welcomed its largest incoming class in the College’s 94 years. Due to its size, the Class of 2023 was brought into this college-wide event in the Cosgrove, Marcus, Messer Athletic Center. With the increasing growth of the physical campus and student population, this moment marked an important beginning as we get closer to entering our second century of excellence.
“I chose to come to Albertus…because of its foundation in the Dominican traditions…and I was drawn in by Albertus’ sense of community.”Arooba Sholmyiet, Class of 2023