One day after Northwestern’s football victory over the University of Kansas, incoming students gathered en masse to display their newfound school spirit.
Led by NU’s marching band, new students in all six undergraduate schools practiced the fight song and alma mater on Sunday during the annual President’s Convocation.
Past years’ convocations, held in Welsh-Ryan Arena, included all incoming students at the same time.
But this year’s event moved to Pick-Staiger Concert Hall and split the new students into two convocation groups.
Weinberg peer adviser Lauren Perlow said the set-up was “a lot better” than the past because it was better organized and convenient for students.
The convocation acted as a formal welcome to the class of 2008’s more than 1,900 students. Speakers included McCormick Prof. Thomas O. Mason, Associated Student Government President Jane Lee and University President Henry Bienen.
Bienen encouraged students not to have a “tailor-made” NU experience but rather learn to craft their own. He described the opportunities students will have throughout their education and reminded them of their role in their new community.
“This is your place now,” Bienen said. “We share responsibility to make it stronger and better.”
Incoming students also heard from William Banis, vice president for student affairs. Banis said 46.5 percent of the class of 2008 is male, while 53.5 percent is female.
Weinberg freshman Lauren Berg said hearing these facts, which included state representation and the number of high school valedictorians, made her realize the diversity and intellectual depth of her incoming class.
But the focus on past achievements shifted to one of future accomplishments.
Keynote speaker Mason encouraged students to view their education at NU as an opportunity to learn and grow. He said the undergraduate degree each student earns also serves as a “license to learn.”
Once students leave campus, their education still continues, Mason reminded the audience.
“The bad news is few, if any, of you will have the luxury of suspending your learning when you graduate,” Mason said. “We can only equip you with the tools you need for a lifetime of learning.”
As the convocation came to a close, a capella group Thunk and the NU marching band energized the crowd by teaching them the lyrics to the fight song and alma mater. Several students said this act filled them with pride in NU.
“Learning the cheers — it kind of boosts the pride,” said Jake Whalen, a Weinberg freshman.
Monique Rooker said she believed singing the songs was a type of “initiation” into the NU community.
The convocation not only introduced the students to the university but also brought them together as a class, she said.
“I felt I was one with the rest of the class,” said Rooker, a Communication freshman.
Perlow, a Weinberg sophomore, said that creating feelings of community and school pride was the goal of the convocation. Bringing the new students together and singing the school songs makes them feel connected to their peers, she said.
“It instills in them a pride in NU,” Perlow said.
Reach Angela Tablac at [email protected]
