President to New Students: 'Be Curious, Not Judgmental'

In his opening remarks, Ian Baucom, UVA’s executive vice president and provost, encouraged the new students to make the most of their time at UVA and to “soak it in,” adding that they are “about to embark on the most thought- and knowledge-expanding years of your educational lives.”

Baucom introduced Ryan, UVA's ninth president. Ryan told the students that each and every one of them belongs at UVA.

“Our admissions office did not make a mistake,” he said. “You can and will succeed here if you try. 

“I say this as a first-generation college student – as more than one in 10 of you are now, which is a record number. But it is a message for all of you, whether you are first-generation or fifth-generation, whether you are a first-year or a transfer student.”

Ryan is fond of quoting television character Ted Lasso, who is fond of quoting Walt Whitman.

“Be curious, not judgmental,” Ryan said, invoking them both, with Whitman the original source. “If you remember nothing else from this speech, please remember this, as it will help you across these four years and beyond in all sorts of situations.”

In a light moment, the president asked all the students to look the person on their left and then the one to their right. “Now stand up,” he said as murmurs began to grow in the crowd. “Turn in a circle. You can fist bump. You can handshake. You can hug.”

The crowd quickly responded as two students leapt in the air for a chest bump and others turned to those behind them to introduce themselves as a happy din continued to rise.

“This is now your second family,” Ryan explained. “This is who you can and will depend on. This, right here, is who will inspire you and delight you. This is who will challenge you and drive you crazy at times. But this is also who will help you find the truth and shape the world, if you let them, if you are curious about them and not judgmental.”

Tichara Robertson, the president of Student Council and a fourth-year student, then welcomed the new students.

Robertson said when she arrived at UVA she was “angry at the financial burden that the enrollment deposit posed to low-income families, so I advocated for easier access to waivers for them.”

“I was angry at the lack of resources supporting first-generation and low-income students, which fueled me to lead Student Council’s branch dedicated to providing such resources for students like me,” she continued.

She said if there is anything new students want to change at UVA, “I want you to know that you are empowered to act on intense feelings through self-governance.”

As the ceremony neared its end, Hamza Aziz, chair of the student-run Honor Committee, explained the school’s honor code, which students would soon sign at tables lining the Lawn. He also described something called a “Letter to Your Future Self.” It allows students to write down their dreams and aspirations as they begin their first classes at UVA.

In a follow-up email to all new students, Aziz shared a link where students can write the letters.

“After writing the letter, you will receive it in four short years, just as you prepare to graduate, having worn the honors of Honor,” he wrote. “Take a moment to write to your future self. You won't regret it.”