Celebrating Lawrenceville’s Shared Values, Head of School Murray Gives Convocation Address “On Laughter”

Lawrentians gathered in the Circle Sunday evening for the School’s annual Convocation Ceremony. After an invocation by School Chaplain Rev. Dr. Violet L.D. Lee, Head of School Steve Murray set the tone for the 2025-26 academic year with his address, “On Laughter.”

He then explored the complex emotion of laughter, drawing from scenes in both Gustave Flaubert’s “Madame Bovary” and Shakespeare’s “King Lear.” “We all know that laughter can have a potently negative, armor-piercing impact, and I believe it is so important that we all be keenly aware of that, to know in advance when there is the potential for a joke or sarcastic remark, or worse, a social media post, to sting, to hurt someone, to divide us,” Murray said.

“And yet, just as important, we also know that when it’s the right kind of jest, when a warm chuckle comes from a place of deep caring and love, laughter may well be just about the “best medicine” to strengthen and reinforce the community we aspire to be. It could, in fact, be the best possible way to welcome everyone to OUR House.”

Following Murray’s address, Associate Dean of Students Lindsay Mulhern presented the House awards, the top residential life prizes. Stephens House won the Chivers Cub, presented to the House with the highest grade point average. Hamill House took the Green Cup, given to the House with the most improved grade point average. For their tremendous commitment to community service, Stanley House earned the Adams Cup as well as the House Cup, given to the residence with the most spirit.

The event concluded with the Lawrentians singing the school song “Triumphant Lawrence,” and a Benediction by School Rabbi Lauren Levy.

View Convocation photos on the School’s Flickr page.

For more information, contact Lisa M. Gillard H'17, director of public relations, at lgillard@lawrenceville.org.