Click here to view slideshow.

3:27 p.m., Sept. 3, 2008----From the formal procession of UD officials in full academic regalia, to a rocking sendoff by the UD Marching Band, the 3,891 members of the Class of 2012 received a rousing welcome to their new home during New Student Convocation held Tuesday, Sept. 2, at the Bob Carpenter Center.

THIS STORY

E-mail

Print

Delicious

Digg this

Facebook

The UD Chorale, which won the grand prize at an international competition last year in Estonia, opened the ceremonies with inspired versions of "The Star-Spangled Banner" and “Let Me Fly.”

UD Provost Dan Rich welcomed members of the freshman class and transfer students and congratulated them on becoming a part of the UD community.

“Today is the beginning of your experience as a UD student,” Rich said. “This experience will shape what you become and prepare you for a lifetime of achievement and adventure. This is what we want you to achieve.”

In his opening remarks, UD President Patrick Harker noted that the Class of 2012 was selected from the largest applicant pool in the history of the University.

“You also were the strongest in our history,” Harker said. “The average SAT score of your class is 20 points higher than last year's class, the largest single one-year increase we have ever witnessed.”

As part of the largest and most diverse entering class in UD history, the Class of 2012 includes American students from as far away as Hawaii, as well as those of 17 foreign countries, including a student from Shijiazhuang, China, a mere 7,078 miles away, Harker said.

Besides including 43 valedictorians and 36 salutatorians, Harker noted that the Class of 2012 also boasts 521 students with high school GPAs of 4.0.

“In addition to academics, you have been active in sports, clubs, music, the arts and community service, among other activities, and over two-thirds of you have engaged in significant volunteer work,” Harker said. “As a group, that is quite impressive.”

Harker encouraged the newest members of the UD community to get to know each other better, and to take the time to listen to the diverse achievements of their classmates.

“The Class of 2012, your class, is full of very interesting people who are doing very interesting things,” Harker said. “That is why they are here, and that is why you are here at the University of Delaware.”

With the University headed on a Path to Prominence^TM and a mission to distinguish itself as one of the premier institutions of higher education in the country, Harker said that this is an exciting time for the incoming class to be part of that process.

“We will achieve this through the recruitment of superb faculty, investment in multidisciplinary programs that span colleges, geographies and cultures and relationships with other organizations and universities,” Harker said. “We will touch on the most important issues of today, for Delaware, the nation and the world, with a constant focus on creating a diverse and stimulating environment for academic research, graduate and service innovation, achievement and excellence.”

Michael Gilbert, vice president for student life, recommended that students acquaint themselves with "their University" and to welcome the opinions and beliefs of others.

“I warn you that UD does not operate like reality television, where you can vote each other out,” Gilbert said. “We want this to be a place where we respect each other and everyone feels welcome and safe.”

Gilbert also asked students to strongly consider looking into the requirements for special areas of interests, including interdisciplinary research and study abroad.

“It may seem a little premature to talk about what you will be doing a year from now, but if you are interested in a particular program, talk to the people who run those programs,” Gilbert said. “That way, you will know what you have to do to prepare for them.”

Teagan Gregory, president of the UD StUDent Government Association, said that he could identify with being new to the University and wanting to go out and get moving and figure out how things work.

“My experience is that the best way to learn something is by doing,” Gregory said. "Also, remember that sometimes we may need to reach out our hand for help. When you do that, there will be another hand waiting to help you.”

Following the introduction of the deans of the seven colleges and the heads of the Associate in Arts Program and University Studies, the UD Chorale concluded the formal part of the program by singing the UD alma mater.

The second part of the program kicked off with a high-energy performance by Delaware Kamaal, an on-campus competitive Indian fusion dance team. The UD cheerleaders, dance team and mascots YoUDee, Air YoUDee and Baby Blue kept things moving before the introduction of the UD fall, spring and winter sports coaching staffs and athletes.

Head Coach K.C. Keeler asked the crowd if they were ready for some Blue Hen football. “Welcome to one of the great traditions of college football. We have had three consecutive coaches inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. Our student section is legendary, and we need that support to continue that tradition. See you all at the West Chester game on Sept. 13,” Keeler said.

The pep rally ended with a performance by the UD cheerleaders and a rollicking rendition of Three Dog Night's “One” and Chicago's "25 or 6 to 4."

Article by Jerry Rhodes
Photos by Kevin Quinlan