Freshmen and transfer students officially became members of the ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ community during new student convocation, held Under the Oaks Saturday, Aug. 27. The event is the first official function of the university's 116th academic year. Details and photos...
With family and friends looking on, more than 1,240 freshmen and transfer students took part in new student convocation Under the Oaks on ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ’s historic West campus Saturday morning. The event is the first formal function for new students at ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ.
Michael Bumbry, a senior and executive president of the Student Government Association, brought words of welcome on behalf of the student body. He encouraged ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ’s newest students to celebrate their individuality and be open to new experiences.
“There are many unforseen events that will change your life over the next four years,” Bumbry said. “This is your adventure and your autobiography.” He told students that a vibrant community awaits them at ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ, socially and academically. “Living, spirit and community–these are the words that ecompass everything that ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ is.”
President Leo M. Lambert welcomed the Class of 2009 and told them to enjoy their introduction to ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ.
“Most of you are filled with nervousness and anticipation,” Lambert said. “Try to set aside that nervous energy and savor this morning….This school, and your experiences here, will become an important chapter in your life.”
Lambert encouraged them to become active members of the ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ community, using their abilities to help others. “I ask you to consider how you are going to use your unique talents to make a contribution,” Lambert said. “Figure out how you will leave your mark on this campus, through your leadership and your passion.”
Maurice Levesque, associate professor of psychology, discussed the responsibilities of citizenship in an academic community and the importance of ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ’s honor code.
“The honor code calls each of us to be honest, to respect the dignity of others as unique individuals of worth, to respect intellectual and material property, to take responsibility for our choices and to accept responsibility for the well-being of others, including helping them to abide by these values. Simply put, we expect that you will behave with integrity,” Levesque said.
Henrietta Pesce, whose daughter, Katie, will be an ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ senior this year, brought greetings on behalf of the ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ Parents Council. She reassured parents about sending their children off to college.
“I stand here before you to attest to the fact that you, and your son or daughter, will thrive here at ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ,” Pesce said. Noting that their children will grow intellectually and socially during their years at ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ, Pesce encouraged parents to begin letting go and allowing students to start taking on more responsibility. “We have to allow our children, our friends, to stand on their own two feet.”
Convocation concluded with new students marching past faculty members lining the sidewalks. In keeping with ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ tradition, each student received an acorn, symbolizing the potential of their education here. Tradition dictates that graduating students also receive an oak seedling at commencement, to plant and nurture after they leave ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ.
“On your commencement day, you will again pass through the assembled faculty line, having accomplished so much,” Lambert said. “On that day, a day that will come much more quickly than you expect, you will exchange your acorn for an oak seedling and go out into the world with the assurance that your ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ education has prepared you for life’s journey. So, we have a date, all of us, to meet under these oaks in four years at commencement.
“May God bless and guide and inspire you on the wonderful journey ahead. Long live ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ!”