John Heyl Vincent is remembered today as one of the co-founders (along with Lewis Miller) of the Chautauqua Institution, a vibrant community which, as discussed in my last blog, promotes learning, cultural awareness, and personal growth. In August 1878, a few years after establishing Chautauqua, Vincent went a step further and created the Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle (CLSC). The CLSC offered a four-year course of home reading with a certain number of books to be completed each year. As explained by Vincent, the “CLSC aims to promote habits of reading and study in nature, art, science, and in secular and scared literature…especially among those whose educational advantages have been limited.” The CLSC achieved tremendous success from the outset. Some 8,000 people registered for the first class, which called itself the Pioneers, and by 1891, 180,000 had enrolled in the classes that followed. Not every enrollee completed the four-year course, but just the same, 800 came to Chautauqua in 1882 for the first recognition ceremony and by the 1920s, more than 300,000 had enrolled.

A few weeks ago, I took part in the recognition ceremony for the 2022 CLSC Class.  In meetings leading up to the ceremony, we had identified a class motto, “Reemerge to New Opportunities”; a class flower, the crocus; and a class symbol, the phoenix. Our symbol, in turn, inspired our name: “Phoenix Rising.” We also composed a class poem, “Step Over the Threshold.” The unique process used to create the poem is covered in my writing blog at https://writenows.com/2022/08/05/poem-by-committee-how-it-worked/. All these distinguishing features for the Class of 2022 underscored the fact our class was the first to have an in-person recognition ceremony in three years, COVID having caused cancellations in 2020 and 2021.

The ceremony itself was a day to remember, but it was only the climax to a week of activities that celebrated learning, personal growth, spirituality, and the other values that serve as pillars to the Chautauqua experience. First, came the Sunday-morning baccalaureate service during which the 2022 class members were asked to stand and be recognized. Thereafter, we listened to an outstanding sermon by Rabbi David Ingber, who focused on the Hebrew word “Peleh” — a wonderful thing that may be hard to understand. Our Vigil Ceremony came Sunday evening, and in many ways, was the most-involved event of the week. It started at the Chautauqua Ampitheater with an opening prayer, hymns, remarks from Class President Bill Smith and others, and the reading of the class poem. (I had the honor of being one of three class members who recited sections of the poem to the audience.) Then, with little electric “candles” in our hands, we walked about 1/5 of a mile to the Hall of Philosophy. Here, a different group of class members presented the poem, and several Chautauqua dignitaries spoke. The evening concluded with an open house at Alumni Hall. The fascinating thing about this building is the display of the CLSC class banners. The oldest ones, I believe, are stored away, but some from the 1920s and 30s were there along with banners from more-recent years.

The Recognition Ceremony came the following Wednesday and is something I’ll remember the rest of my life. Everything we did, every step taken, every word spoken was rooted in traditions set nearly a century and a half ago. (The white outfits we wore are a more-recent tradition, but still a key part of the event.) The day began in front of the Hall of Christ where a class picture was taken. About 40 of the 59 class members were there. Then came the unveiling of the class banner, which portrayed a yellow phoenix, rising majestically out of a mass of flames, beneath the class motto. I noticed our class banner was smaller than ones from previous years. I assume that’s because there’s less display space now in Alumni Hall.

From the Hall of Christ, we marched down toward the golden gate below Philosophy Hall. Before leaving, the coordinator put us in alphabetical order to assure each of us received the right diploma. A distinguished-looking gentleman wearing a tuxedo served as our guide. Once at the gate, the tuxedo-attired guide “announced” our arrival to the CLSC leaders, who after some formalities, opened the gates to us. It only took a few minutes to go up the steps and be seated in the Hall of Philosophy, but what fanfare and festivity there were during that brief span! Children carrying older class banners led the way while a band played triumphant music. To our left and right, little girls tossed flower petals onto our path while adults applauded. Once seated, there were remarks from key people in the Chautauqua administration followed by recognition of people who reached higher levels in the CLSC book-reading hierarchy. Then came the awarding of diplomas, which were scrolled up in red ribbon.

The CLSC diploma is an impressive document. It features images of classical Greek structures and the Holy Bible, as well as the embossed seal of the CLSC. At the top are inspiring quotes, such as “Never Be Discouraged,” and toward the bottom, are the signatures of the Chautauqua President and other Institution leaders. As if to encourage continued reading, the diploma has placeholders for special emblems, if the individual advances to the Guild of Seven Seals and beyond.

My diploma now sits under a class cover on a table in our parlor, next to the CLSC diploma my wife earned in 2016. It’s nice to be in such good company.