More than 1,700 members of the Class of 2018, along with new transfer and exchange students, came together for the first time at Washington University’s Convocation, held Aug. 21 in the Field House.
An annual orientation event, Convocation is an opportunity for administrators, faculty and current students to formally welcome new students and their families into the WUSTL community.
“All of you can develop knowledge and create new knowledge that will enable you to help make our world better for all humankind,” Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton told the new students in his address. “Tonight you can begin asking yourself this important question: ‘What can I do?’”
Chancellor Wrighton’s full address:
Thank you, Emma, and thank you to all student leaders for your important contributions to this community. To the members of the Class of 2018, welcome to Washington University! It is also a pleasure to welcome new students transferring from other colleges and universities. Welcome also to parents and friends of our new students. All gathered this evening are now members of the Washington University family.
I know that there are parents, other family members and friends of our new students are watching in the Danforth University Center, in Edison Theatre and in Graham Chapel. Thank you for being with us, and I look forward to seeing you later in the Brookings Quadrangle. All new students will process from here to the Quadrangle at the conclusion of our program, and parents will meet the students there.
Let me now address our new students. You have been admitted to Washington University because you have the potential to be leaders in the 21st century. We are experiencing regional, national and international challenges that we must address together. Let’s mention four global challenges: (1) we must provide the energy we need at an affordable cost and without adverse effect on the environment; (2) the world’s population is growing, and we must secure nutritious food and clean water for all; (3) global public health issues confront us, not just the ebola outbreak in Africa, but health issues that stem from climate change, poverty, and lack of education; (4) aging of the global population brings challenges, ranging from the increasing incidence of Alzheimer’s and other medical issues to the social and political consequences of dealing with an aging society.
Turning to regional and national challenges, the current crisis in Ferguson is of concern to everyone in our community. The tragedy of the death of Michael Brown is deeply troubling. The problems stemming from racism, health disparities, poor education, and lack of economic opportunity are real and ones we must address.
Yes, we are doing some things to contribute in a positive way, including our sponsorship of three charter schools in the City of St. Louis, the development of our Institute for Public Health, and investing in efforts to create new jobs. But we must do more as a University and accelerate the pace of progress.
Under the leadership of Provost Holden Thorp and Associate Provost Dedric Carter we are working to communicate and to coordinate efforts to participate in addressing the problems. Please go to our website Wash U Voices: Ferguson and Beyond, voices.wustl.edu, to learn more. I am confident that by working together, we can achieve a brighter future locally, nationally and internationally.
We are grateful to all of you for making the commitment to become a part of our community. All of us at the University pledge to do our best to help you realize your potential and to provide the education you need to become effective leaders, whether that is to be a Nobel prizewinner, a corporate CEO, or a great artist, like students who have preceded you. All of you can develop knowledge and create new knowledge that will enable you to help make our world better for all humankind. Tonight you can begin asking yourself this important question: What can I do?
Your class includes about 1,700 students and was selected from a large and talented applicant pool, and you come from all over the U.S., U.S. territories, and about 20 countries. About 40 percent of you are minority or international students. You are about 50/50 female/male, and 2/3 of you come from greater than 500 miles. You have excelled in your lives in many ways, from academics to athletics, from theatre to public service. We encourage you to continue the interests you developed earlier in your lives.
To the parents: thank you for supporting your sons and daughters in their decision to attend Washington University. We share your interest in having your students enjoy success and happiness, and we are your partners in assisting them to realize their dreams of a great college experience. Like the students, you are now a part of this community, and we welcome your engagement. I look forward to meeting many of you at the reception that I will host tomorrow afternoon at the Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum.
Back to the students, while parents will continue to play an important role in the lives of our students, all students should feel free to call on any member of this community as a resource. Indeed, you have already been ably assisted by a great group of University students who have volunteered as Student Associates in the Orientation Program and as Resident Advisors. Please join me in applauding their efforts. Thank you.
The stage principals who join me this evening symbolize the many people in the University who guide the academic enterprise and play a role in fulfilling the mission of the University, fostering its improvement and building benefits for society. Over the course of our history it has been the people that made our University great. We are fortunate to have many leading faculty who take seriously both education and knowledge creation that comes from their research, often in collaboration with our students.
The St. Louis community has much to offer, and travel around the region is available on the METRO system — buses and the light rail system MetroLink. All full-time students are provided a free METRO pass. MetroLink has two stops on the Danforth campus and one each at the West Campus, North Campus, and the Medical School Campus. There are many cultural institutions in St. Louis that are among the best in the nation, including the Missouri Historical Society, the St. Louis Zoo, Art Museum, and Science Center, all located in Forest Park adjacent to the Danforth Campus, and all are free! The Missouri Botanical Garden is nearby, too. Now if you really want to help this community, go to Busch Stadium and cheer on the St. Louis Cardinals!
Our campus is undergoing some physical enhancements: the Brown School of Social Work has a major expansion project underway that will be completed next summer. We are also expanding the athletics facilities to provide more space for recreational sports and fitness. The Gary M. Sumers Fitness Center will be complete in two years.
On campus, you will have many exciting activities, including athletics, seminars, performances, and social events. I encourage you to explore the Kemper Art Museum, home to one of the finest university collections in the U.S. This fall will also be a busy time for our many student groups—there will be organizations and activities that represent both opportunities and commitments of time.
With respect to how you spend your time, however, things have changed dramatically for you — starting tonight. Just a few months ago most of you were in high school with a relatively structured and controlled schedule. Tonight you begin a new phase of your life with more independence and freedom, but with that freedom comes more responsibility. Beginning immediately, you will have many choices to make.
You have a multitude of talents and the intellectual ability to make wise decisions. As you make your decisions, it is my hope that luck will be with you. However, it was the great scientist Louis Pasteur who observed that “Chance favors the prepared mind,” and you must do all you can do to recognize an important opportunity and then to evaluate whether it is one you wish to pursue. We are confident you can do well and be successful, but realizing that success will depend on making good decisions.
Regarding time commitments, the new freedom you have means you are no longer under anyone’s supervision. Your parents are no longer responsible for you (except, of course, for those tuition checks!). You have responsibility for yourself. There will be no one to tell you when to go to bed or when or whether to get up; no one to tell you to make your bed; no one to tell you to eat your vegetables; no one to govern your comings and goings.
You will be the one to decide who your friends will be and whether to join a Greek organization, and you will be the judge of when and whether to accept advice from others. You should enjoy your new independence, but there are also important responsibilities beyond those to yourself. You remain responsible to those who have made it possible for you to be here—your parents, other family members, teachers, coaches, religious leaders, and your friends. Much trust and confidence have been properly placed in you, and it is your responsibility to provide a good return on that investment.
The excellence of students and faculty of the University defines us. For many, this may be the first time you have been surrounded by so many high achievers like yourself. In these early days you may be intimidated by the fact that your classmates are as smart and accomplished in their area of interest as you are in yours. Personally, I had those feelings myself when I started my doctoral work at Caltech and later when I took up a faculty position at M.I.T. I believe those feelings are natural, but as I discovered and you will find, too, you are not in competition with your classmates. Your own goals should be your guideposts.
Academically, we set our sights high. Our objective is not only to prepare a person for a job, as important as that is. Rather, our ultimate objective is to prepare our students for lives of meaning and purpose. We aim to prepare you to become the leaders of tomorrow to serve society by addressing our most pressing challenges. Our University goal is to “enhance our leadership today to benefit America and the world tomorrow.” As our newest colleagues you are now an important part of a great university bringing benefit to our world.
Washington University is 161 years old and much has happened since 1853. But through all the changes there are some important constants. Most important, we live in a community. Here at Washington University our community is special, and we must work together to keep it so. As the next generation of community members, it is my hope that you will contribute to sustaining this mutually supportive community.
As I conclude my remarks, I want to give you some important advice and convey one great expectation. First, the advice. Number one, go to class. You or your parents are paying a great deal for you to have the opportunity to be here. Take full advantage of your educational program.
Number two, do not abuse alcohol or other drugs. The legal age for drinking in Missouri is 21 years, and we are NOT in Washington or Colorado. None of us can exercise good judgment when intoxicated, and we know that alcohol abuse is associated with adverse consequences academically and is a factor in >90% of campus crime. Most of your peers are making wise choices about alcohol, and the vast majority of our students drink moderately, if at all. Students, I challenge you to make wise choices during your college years—make decisions that will have a positive impact on you personally and on the University community.
Number three, lead lives of integrity. The motto of Washington University is Per Veritatem Vis, Strength through Truth. Be honest in all that you do; be conscientious in what you undertake; and take seriously your responsibilities to yourself, your friends and community, and to your family.
Now my great expectation: always show respect for others, both on campus and in the community that surrounds us. We are a diverse campus where we can learn from our differences and grow to appreciate each other as individuals. Lively debate of the issues of our day will occur, and surely there will be differences of opinion among us. But there is no room here for racism, harassment, or discrimination. Respect for one another remains one of our most important community values.
You have my wish, and my support, for your success at Washington University. I am privileged to serve as your Chancellor, and I look forward to our work together. Thank you.