Thirty years after her own convocation at the College, Reverend Leah Daughtry '84 will address more than 1,100 members of the Class of 2014 in the keynote speech at the 2010 Convocation, according to a College press release.
Daughtry, who grew up in Brooklyn, said she first "began to encounter diversity in political thought" at Dartmouth. Since graduating, she has done extensive work for the Democratic National Committee, and in 2004 she founded the Party's Faith in Action Initiative.
Daughtry has served as the chief of staff for the Democratic National Committee, and was the Chief Executive Officer for the 2008 DNC Convention in Denver, Col. She has also served as the pastor of the House of the Lord Church in Washington, D.C., since 2002.
As a member of the Rockefeller Center's Board of Visitors since 2004, Daughtry has maintained a close relationship with the College.
Daughtry said she was "surprised and touched" when College President Jim Yong Kim asked her to deliver the Convocation address.
"Leah Daughtry is a compassionate, engaging leader who shows what is possible when a liberal arts education is combined with practical, hands-on experience," Kim said in the press release.
Daughtry recalled her own convocation as a memorable part of her time at Dartmouth, she said.
"I think my favorite experience at Dartmouth was my own convocation," Daughtry said. "I didn't really know what it was, but we had to get dressed up then it was called getting smooth and when we all sang [the alma mater,] I felt an overwhelming sense of community. We were all singing the alma mater as loud as we could, probably the wrong way, and I remember feeling this is where I belong."
Daughtry continued her singing career when she joined the Gospel Choir freshman year. As a government and African and African-American studies double major, she also participated in the Afro-American Society during her time at the College.
Daughtry said she is not yet sure which experiences will factor into her speech.
"I'm a preacher, and we don't plan too far in advance," she said. "But I want to give the students something to think about regarding their whole new college experience and share some of my own thoughts how to get most out of it."
Although the focus on academics at the College is important, Daughtry said she wants to emphasize the importance of taking advantage of the Dartmouth experience in its totality.
"It took me a little while to figure out what was what, and I was very fortunate to have made friends with upperclassmen who helped me navigate the curriculum and take advantage of everything Dartmouth had to offer," she said. "But a lot of us come thinking its all about academics, and there is so much more to it than that. Your life will become richer, fuller and more complete if you try to build an experience."
Dartmouth graduates are valuable commodities due to the exposure the College provides for students through internships and the flexibility that comes with the uniqueness of the D-Plan, Daughtry added.
Kim and Student Body President Eric Tanner '11 will also speak at Convocation, which is scheduled to be held Sept. 21, according to the press release.
