Class of 2018 welcomed with fireworks, pageantry and words of advice

Chapman University’s Class of 2018 was officially welcomed to campus at Opening Convocation on Tuesday, Aug. 26, with rousing words of advice, fireworks and a call to seize the next four years with gusto.

President Jim Doti told the new freshmen that they were the best academically prepared class to ever enter the University. Alumni welcomed them to “the Chapman family.” And the dean presenting the annual Aims of Education address urged them to “be someone others want to follow.”

“Continually remind yourself that your privilege gives you the power and responsibility to positively influence society. Be someone others want to follow, not due to your rank, education or wealth, but because of who you are and the actions you take on their behalf,” said Don Cardinal, Ph.D., dean of the
College of Educational Studies
, who presented
this year’s Aims of Education
.

Held for the first time in the evening and on the Holly and David Wilson Field in Chapman Stadium, the event marked the official University welcome to freshman families after a busy
move-in day
and the launch of orientation week for freshmen. Heralded by bagpiper Robert Hackney from Nicholson Pipes and Drums in Westminster, Calif., faculty in academic regalia and the students filed onto the field while families looked on from stadium seats, where hundreds of cell phones captured the pageantry.

Speakers told the students to be ready to embrace all the experiences that would come their way in the next four years – both the great and the challenging.

“You matter to Chapman, you matter to the faculty, to the students, to the staff, to the alumni,” Chancellor Daniele Struppa said. “Please seek their support in your journey and strive to support those who seek your help. This is why you’re here. This why we’re here. To help you, serve you, inspire, encourage and cajole you.” And, he added with a smile, “I’m a math professor, so I know this last part.”

Alumnus James E. Blalock (’09,
Dale E. Fowler School of Law
) offered similar guidance.

“In the next four years there will be times when you feel cerebral, exhilarated and unconquerable. And perhaps there will be times when you feel a bit overwhelmed, stressed or downcast. But I promise you one thing. Today you have joined an organization of support, assistance, friendship and comfort. Today you have joined the Chapman family,” said Blalock, president of the Chapman Alumni Association.

Jerry Price, Ph.D., vice chancellor and dean of students, led students in the traditional exchange of white stoles given to freshmen. Students took the stoles given to them and draped one around a neighbor, and vice-versa. The stole ceremony is a symbol of the values of interdependence and reciprocity held dear in the Chapman community, he explained.

“We encourage you to keep this stole throughout your Chapman experience and when anyone — a faculty member, staff, fellow student, alumni, parent or any other person — along the way helps you, you ask them to sign your stole so that when you graduate you will have an indelible record of the people who made a difference in your life during your time at Chapman,” Price said.

The evening concluded with
a fireworks show
shot from atop Leatherby Libraries, greeted by students with a roar of cheers and applause, a true Panther beginning.

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