Office of Institutional Research
Office of Marketing Communications
The Stylus, SUNY Brockport's Student-run Newspaper
|
Press Releases
For Immediate Release
August 24, 2008
For more information, contact
Nicholas Mascari
(585) 395-2754
nmascari@brockport.edu
Academic Convocation Welcomes New Students
2008-09 Academic Year Begins
More than 1800 new freshmen and transfer students were officially welcomed to the College at Brockport academic community at today’s (Sunday, August 24) Academic Convocation.
MC Donna Kowal, associate professor of communication, welcomed the new students and reminded them that they were now part of “a long tradition of university life that reaches back almost a thousand years. Your experience will challenge and change your understanding of the world. You will become a different person,” she said.
In his welcome and brief remarks President John R. Halstead encouraged the students to “engage in your studies and in your future careers with passion. I truly hope your dreams come alive here!”
Alumnus Jaime Casap ’91, a business operations manager at Goggle, Inc., began his remarks by taking a picture of the audience to send to his mother. He described the culture shock he experienced as a freshman leaving his home in New York City and adjusting to life in the Village of Brockport. He then advised the new students to “find ways to push beyond your comfort zone, take advantage the many opportunities the college will offer, reach out to meet new people who will become lifelong friends, pay attention to your professors who will get to know you and your potential, and get to know yourself.”
Students Carly Guariglia, a double major in health science and physical education; and Justine Pruss, a double major in biology and broadcast communication welcomed the students. “I would not be the person I am with out the opportunities I’ve had at Brockport to learn, to grow and to make mistakes,” said Pruss. “Never underestimate your potential. Take advantage of every opportunity you will have at Brockport,” counseled Guariglia.
The audience also enjoyed a dance performance by the Akoma Ntoaso Dance Ensemble and the Sankofa African Dance and Drum Ensemble.
The Convocation concluded with candle lighting ceremony as members of the College faculty moved through the audience, lighting the student’s candles.
The College at Brockport, State University of New York
350 New Campus Drive * Brockport, New York 14420-2931
(585) 395-2754 * FAX (585) 395-2723 *
www.brockport.edu