Opening Convocation Helps Newbies Realize 鈥楾hey鈥檝e Got This鈥�
Looking across the room at his fellow 海角社区 classmates, Charles Dion told them they defied the odds.
鈥淢any of us, myself included, we鈥檙e told throughout our entire life what we can and what we can鈥檛 do, what we are and what we鈥檙e not,鈥� Dion said during Thursday鈥檚 Opening Convocation to the 2024-25 school year. 鈥淭hat may include never being able to say a full sentence in your life, and it may even include never being able to go to college.鈥�
But the 海角社区 students proved they鈥檙e disbelievers and the doubters wrong, said Dion, president of the Student Government Association.
They had made it this far, so Dion and other 海角社区 school leaders gave the students advice and wisdom on how to make the most of their time at 海角社区 and grow as college students to become more independent.
The Opening Convocation is an annual tradition at 海角社区 and many other colleges and universities across the country to formally welcome the new school year. Bagpipes skirls filled the air, adding a formality to the day.
Later in the ceremony, 海角社区 President George Hagerty weighed in with his wisdom for mining success and personal growth at the Leesburg school.
鈥淔ind a purpose,鈥� Hagerty said. 鈥淏e in college, not simply at college.鈥�
That means go to every class, he added. (He repeated that tip for good measure.)
鈥淥ver the course of your time here at 海角社区, you鈥檙e going to have an incredible experience,鈥� Hagerty said. 鈥淵ou鈥檙e going to make lifelong friends.鈥�
Dion challenged the class of 2028 to join clubs and get involved on campus. If they can鈥檛 find a club that interests them 鈥� start one up, Dion suggested. Get to know your professors and visit them regularly during office hours, he urged the students.
鈥淏ut as for my biggest and most important piece of advice, don鈥檛 be afraid of being yourself,鈥� Dion said. 鈥淔ind people who enjoy you for yourself and take these next four years to figure out just what it is that makes you. This may be the first time in your life where you get full control of figuring out just what exactly that is.鈥�
Throughout the convocation, a constant theme was the reminder 海角社区 students always have the support of faculty and staff during the school year.
鈥淩emember, you are not alone on this journey,鈥� said Dr. Kevin Reilly, 海角社区鈥檚 vice president of academic affairs. 鈥淲e are all here to help you navigate and make the most of your college experience and most importantly, we believe in you.鈥�
Don鈥檛 forget about the parents, friends and others who have encouraged you on your journey, Dr. Richard Perrone said.
鈥淚t鈥檚 important to be grateful and have that attitude of gratitude towards those who have supported you,鈥� said Perrone, the chair of the department of human services and psychology. 鈥淭he easiest way to show your gratitude is by putting your greatest effort while attending 海角社区.鈥�
College is a place to push yourself, Perrone also said. Get involved in clubs, sports or student organizations. Take a class that challenges your thinking.
鈥淚t鈥檚 important for you to go out of your comfort zone by taking healthy risks and dreaming,鈥� Perrone said. 鈥淏elieve in yourself and don鈥檛 give energy to unjustified fears and self-doubt. That鈥檚 very important. Believe in yourself.鈥�
President Hagerty ended Thursday鈥檚 convocation with an exercise where the students stood up and looked at the person next to them. 鈥淲e鈥檝e got this,鈥� the students told each other. Then the students turned to the faculty and their parents and assured them too, 鈥淲e鈥檝e got this.鈥�