Prelude
Toccata in D minor, BWV 538 - J. S. Bach (1685-1750)
Dr. Daniel E. Schwandt
University Organist and Lecturer of Music
Musical Selection
Signore Ascolta from Turandot – Giacomo Puccini (1858-1924)
Ava Wadia ’26, soprano
Isaac Epley ’27, collaborator
Land Acknowledgement
Noemi Delgado, Director of Accessibility Services
Welcome Remarks & Introduction of Astead Herndon
Jason Brozek, Stephen Edward Scarff Professor of International Affairs and Associate Professor of Government
Convocation Address
Astead Herndon
National politics reporter for The New York Times, political analyst for CNN, and host of the politics podcast “The Run-Up”
Postlude
Fanfare for Organ - Richard Proulx (1937-2010)
Dr. Daniel E. Schwandt
University Organist and Lecturer of Music
Speaker Biography
Astead W. Herndon is a national politics reporter for the New York Times and a political analyst for CNN. He reports and hosts "The Run Up," a political podcast from The New York Times that debuted ahead of the 2022 midterm elections. Previously, Herndon was an integral part of the Times political coverage in the 2018 midterm elections and the 2020 presidential elections.
In 2020, Herndon was named to the Forbes Magazine's 30 Under 30 media list. His reporting — on white grievance and former President Donald Trump — was included in the New York Times package that was a finalist for the 2021 Pulitzer Prize. Last year, "The Run Up" was named "One of the best podcasts of 2022" by The Economist.
Notices
- As a courtesy to the artists and to those in attendance, please be aware that sounds such as whispering and the rustling of paper and cellophane wrappers are magnified in the hall.
- Please silence all cell phones and other electronic devices during convocations.
- Convocations may not be recorded, photographed, or broadcast without the written consent of the speaker and Lawrence University.
- Bag lunches for students, faculty & staff will be available to go in the Music-Drama Center lobby following the Convocation.
- Please refrain from talking during all musical selections.
An American Sign Language interpreter will be available and located on the stage.
Next Convocation
Honors Convocation:
Sara Ceballos, Associate Professor of Music, and Danielle Joyner, Associate Professor of Art History
"Hildegard of Bingen on How To Find Your Place in the Universe"
Friday, May 29, 2026, 12:30 p.m.
For more information, please see the Convocation Series.
We collectively acknowledge that Lawrence University is situated on the ancestral homelands of the Menominee and Ho-Chunk people.