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By Andy Elder, Student Affairs Writer
For most incoming college freshmen, the first days
and weeks are filled with anxiety and uncertainty.
For the more
than 6,000 Penn State incoming freshmen, Fall Convocation at the
Bryce Jordan Center provided another feeling -- inspiration.
Rousing
messages from members of the Penn State administration, faculty,
and student
body formed the backbone of the two-hour program.
Foremost among the speakers
was Dr. Vicky L. Triponey, Vice President for Student Affairs,
who served as master of ceremonies.
"You have the potential to do great things both
here as dedicated students and beyond Penn State as engaged citizens
... and there is a very talented and
dedicated world-class faculty and staff eager to support you in those endeavors," Triponey
told the gathering. "I can assure you these wonderful people genuinely
care about your well-being and your success and, collectively, they create
a caring and
inclusive community."
Several other members of that "caring
and inclusive community" spoke to the
Penn State Class of 2008. Dr. Rodney Erickson, Executive Vice President and
Vice Provost, and Dr. Janis Jacobs, Vice Provost for Undergraduate
Education and International Programs provided their positive perspectives
on college life at Penn State.
Erickson recalled the thoughts and
feelings he experienced during convocation services 40 years ago
when he was a freshman. He also provided a glimpse
of the excellence the freshmen were about to encounter in the days and
weeks to
come.
"You are now part of one of the best universities
in America, a world-class teaching and research university with
an extraordinary faculty. Our faculty at
Penn State perfected the world's first rechargeable heart pacemaker and
discovered the first planets outside our solar system," he
said.
"Penn State faculty are studying the effects
of welfare reform on children and families, developing underwater
sensors that will protect drinking water
supplies, creating artificial muscles that can be placed inside the
body, and creating Internet search engines that use artificial
intelligence. Penn State
is a university with a vast array of highly rated academic programs.”
Erickson
also introduced the students to three distinguished Penn State faculty – Dr.
Richard Alley, Evan Pugh Professor of Geosciences; Patricia Barthalow
Koch, an associate professor
of biobehavioral
health and faculty affiliate in nursing and women’s studies
who was honored with a
Penn State Alumni Teaching
Fellow Award in 2002; and Charles Dumas, an associate professor in
the School of Theatre and
noted professional actor,
director, and writer.
Jacobs challenged the students to expand their Penn
State experience by venturing outside the bounds of the normal
academic curriculum
and reminded
them of
their responsibilities as members of the campus community.
“I challenge you to go beyond the basics – talk
to your professor after class; join an interest group in your college;
or find an interesting student
club related to your major,” she said. “I’d also
encourage you to read a newspaper every day. We provide two national
newspapers and a local
paper to you every weekday at no charge. We have an amazing program
of musical performances, dance recitals, theatre productions and
campus art galleries. Invest
your time in enjoying these enriching opportunities.”
Jacobs
introduced and provided brief biographical sketches of three highly
active members of last year’s freshman class.
Other speakers included
State College Mayor William Welch and Undergraduate Student Government
President Galen Foulke.
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