FARMVILLE, Va., Sept. 14 -- Longwood University issued the following news release:

Senior Noah Sadler '27 is no stranger to the Joan Perry Brock Center. A manager for the Longwood men's basketball team since his freshman year, he has long occupied a game-day seat on the home bench of Longwood's crown jewel basketball arena-albeit in a less-visible, supporting role for the school's two-time Big South Champion basketball program.

At Longwood's annual Convocation ceremony this past Thursday, however, Sadler, his fellow members of the Class of 2027 and their collection of uniquely decorated "mortarboard" caps found themselves in the JPB spotlight as the university formally initiated its seniors into their final year of undergraduate education...