Convocation Appreciation

Today was the official freshman welcome ceremony in the Carrier Dome. A few of my floor mates attended with dread, but I was very excited for this event. The head staff and faculty dressed up in ceremonial robes and had a processional to a stage set up for the event. It was like graduation... at the beginning of the year.

Freshmen and their families

I admire Chancellor Cantor. She's about five feet tall and she has a fiery energy and enthusiasm that is extremely contagious. I think SU gets its excitement from her mentality. In her speech, she said that she was a rebellious teenager. I can see that. She reminds me of my Spanish teacher; well-versed, respectable, incredibly friendly, and tiny.

Chancellor Cantor there in the back (looking for me, obviously)

* * *

A recent graduate left us with an inspiring poem which I will share with you:

I have only just a minute, only 60 seconds in it,

forced upon me, can’t refuse it, didn’t seek it,

didn’t choose, but it’s up to me to use it,

give account if I abuse it, suffer if I lose it.

Just a tiny little minute, but eternity is in it.

This school is amazing. I've heard so many inspirational stories from student and faculty speakers. They give me goosebumps and I have to collect myself sometimes when I start getting emotional. I'm hit with overwhelming feeling of wholeness when I'm listening to people telling me that I'm important and that the world wants me in it. College gives me hope.

Chancellor Cantor and her words of wisdom

After the convocation, I had lunch with Sonia (my Resident Advisor), Nimish, and the Hedeens. We listened to the 200-member marching band play directly across the field. They looks really small, but they have  HUGE sound.

Chancy Nancy sighting during lunch

My name on the Carrier Dome scoreboard!

This is Wendy. She plays clarinet! 

Owning the Dome

Wendy's marching band helmet 

In addition to the freshman SU convocation, I also had my freshman Newhouse School convocation. At SU, there are nine schools within the university. I am enrolled in the SI Newhouse School of Public Communications, majoring in Advertising. Here are some fun facts I learned about the Newhouse class of 2016.

• 4,600 high school seniors applied to Newhouse.
• 373 actually got in. 
• 64% of Newhouse is female and 36% is male. 
• 28% of Newhouse students are students of color (that's me too!). 
• The Newhouse Twitter is @NewhouseSU

Dean Branham at the Newhouse convocation

Classes start on Monday. Until then, I will be brushing up on current events for COM 107. I am finally in a place where I get to study things that interest me. High school was cool and all, but college caters to me.  I e-mailed my faculty advisor and I told her that I wasn't used to getting so much academic help when it came to choosing classes and getting situated. Things are really looking up for me. I just feel like I'm going to be okay, and that feels amazing.