The freshman class was officially welcomed to campus Monday at the President’s Convocation, a formal ceremony held annually at Matthews Arena. Students and administrators addressed the 111th freshman class at the university, sharing advice and well wishes.
The two primary speakers, university President Joseph Aoun and Student Government Association President Rob Ranley, delivered similar messages. Both President Aoun and Ranley told students to take advantage of opportunities not just on campus, but beyond its borders.
“Our classrooms transcend our borders, preparing you for study abroad, where you can gain that unique international perspective,” said Ranley, a senior finance and insurance major.
Ranley was one of the first speakers to address students at Matthews Arena. The arena had been divided in half by a large black curtain. Nearly every available seat was filled.
Recognizing the academic achievements of the new freshman class – the most selective in Northeastern’s history, the admissions department officials said – Ranley told students to take advantage of the opportunities before them.
“I can’t help but feel a little envious of you because you are just starting here,” he said.
Ranley introduced Aoun, who quipped, “Now I have a problem: Rob gave my speech, so I have to improvise.”
Aoun’s address touched upon some of the major issues he has championed as president, especially the importance of international and experiential education. He also stressed the importance of focusing on several academic disciplines, not just one.
“Generally, in higher education, students stay on campus, then are asked to explore the world,” Aoun said. “We don’t believe in that here.”
Aoun called upon students to challenge their studies with experiential education and vice versa.
“Don’t take what you learn in the classroom for granted,” he said. “Don’t take what you see in the real world for granted. You can change [reality], you can shape it.”
During his address, Aoun championed students starting as undecided majors, who he said had an excellent opportunity to explore the academic environment of the university.
He also defined his vision of what the university strives to do for students.
“Our goal is not to get you ready for your first career,” he said. “If that was our goal, we would probably fail. Our goal is to get you ready for life