New Student Convocation signals the beginning of another year as the members of the Class of 2016, transfer students and their families gather Under the Oaks at Elon University for the annual welcome ceremony.
"This ceremony is one of the most meaningful occasions of the academic year," said President Leo Lambert."
Lambert, along with Jan Fuller, university chaplain, Darien Flowers, Student Government Association executive president, Smith Jackson, vice president for student life and dean of students, Steven House, provost and vice president for academic affairs, and faculty members, greeted the most recent addition to the Elon community.
The speakers challenged the more than 1,400 students to embrace the opportunities open to them and to seek adventure during the next four years.
"If you take advantage of a number of opportunities Elon has to offer, you will lay the foundation for your future," Flowers said.
The SGA President recounted walking tours through London that expanded his imagination and fed his curiosity, offering his own experiences as feasible goals. He encouraged them to join an organization and study abroad, which are the first two items on the Elon Bucket List created by the Student Alumni Council.
Lambert echoed Flowers's advice, prompting students not to consider if they will study abroad, but rather where they would like to study.
"You have arrived at a great banquet," he told the Class of 2016. "Don't make yourself a bologna sandwich."
Although graduation seems distant to the new students, Lambert challenged them immerse themselves in the community and to grow intellectually and ethically in the next four years.
"In about 1,400 days you will graduate from Elon with your undergraduate degree," he said. "How are you going to use those 1,400 days?"
The 8th University President conducted the human bar graph demonstration to communicate the students' rare fortune to obtain such an education. If the group of new students represented the 7 billion people in the world, four of the 1,400 students would represent Americans with degrees from private four-year institutions.
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"Your presence here places you among the most privileged people on Earth," Lambert said.
The traditional gift of the acorn serves as a reminder of their fortune and the promise of an education, he said.
"You will enter the world of college and become academic citizens of Elon," Lambert said.
While the occasion celebrated the future of the freshman class, House assured them faculty will serve as their guide.
"Our faculty are known for their accessibility and responsiveness to students," he said.
House praised the faculty's accomplishments, which included a collection of more than 20 books published and more than 200 book chapters published in research articles during the past year, and their dedication to scholarship.
"They will challenge you more than you thought possible," House said.
New Student Convocation concluded with an explanation of Elon traditions and the signing of the Alma Mater.
"Let the Class of 2016 begin its journey," said Julie Celona-VanGorden, assistant professor of Music.
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