Despite rain-soaked hair and stormy skies, first-year and transfer students gathered in John Paul Jones Arena Sunday for the University of Virginia’s Opening Convocation, a ceremonial welcome to their first academic year as Hoos.
Organizers relocated the ceremony, traditionally held on the Lawn, to JPJ due to rainy weather, but the indoor venue didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of UVA’s newest students.
“I am definitely nervous, but I’m still so excited because it’s the beginning of a new journey for me,” Ryan Liu, a first-year student in the School of Engineering and Applied Science, said.
Nearly 5,000 first-year and transfer students were officially inducted into the undergraduate class. But they weren’t the only ones experiencing something new on Grounds.
Interim President Paul Mahoney addresses the crowd at the Opening Convocation ceremony. (Photo by Lathan Goumas, University Communications)
“Though you may be the newest students on Grounds, you’re not the only one experiencing some firsts,” Brie Gertler, interim executive vice president and provost of UVA, said while introducing interim President Paul Mahoney. “President Mahoney took on the role of UVA president just two weeks ago.”
In his remarks, Mahoney defined the meaning of a university as “the collective body of students and professors who gather together to teach and learn.”
“As of today, you are a member of that collective body. You are the University of Virginia,” he said.
Mahoney urged those in attendance to maintain an open mind while at UVA and to be ready to exchange ideas with those who see the world differently from them.
“Among your classmates and professors, you will encounter people whose most deeply held convictions and values differ from yours,” he said. “That, too, is part of a rich educational experience, as is learning to disagree without insult or acrimony.”
Kenyon Bonner, UVA’s vice president and chief student affairs officer, connected with the crowd by asking those who were feeling anxious or apprehensive about their ability to succeed at UVA to raise their hand. Nearly every hand in the arena went up.
Fourth-year history and drama major Clay Dickerson serves as the Student Council president. (Photo by Lathan Goumas, University Communications)
“You belong here,” he said. “You matter. We admitted each of you because we believe you have the talent, the work ethic, the ability, the creativity, the capacity and potential to be successful here and contribute to our community in ways that will leave this place better than you found it.”
Student Council President Clay Dickerson, a fourth-year student from Lubbock, Texas, took the stage next to introduce the new students to UVA’s tradition of student self-governance.
“It gives you the ability to take your personal stride, your unique experiences, your struggles, and turn them into service – not only for yourself, but for those around you,” the history and drama major in the College of Arts & Sciences said.
“When I got to UVA, I learned that my past problems had solutions already in place that resulted from student self-governance,” he said, highlighting the free food pantry that addresses food insecurity and the mutual aid store that provides personal care products to students in need.
