Chancellor Vitter asked the incoming students to put their “fins up” as he took a panaramic view of the Freshman Convocation audience after his speech on Monday. (Photo by: Marlee Crawford)
More than 2,000 freshmen and transfer students put their “fins up” for Chancellor Jeffrey Vitter’s panoramic photo during the 2016 Freshman Convocation Tuesday night.
It was the first fall semester for both the students and the chancellor as well as the first convocation held in the Pavilion.
Deans, professors and representatives of every academic school, as well as the Associated Student Body President Austin Powell and members of university administration all took part in welcoming fresh faces to Ole Miss.
Provost and Executive Vice-Chancellor Morris H. Stocks said the students were possibly largest class of freshmen in the university’s history.
“Fall convocation marks the beginning of a new journey,” Stocks said. “By being a part of this ceremony, you are welcomed and celebrated.”
Vitter delivered the keynote address of the evening instead of the original speaker and author of this year’s common reading book, Sherman Alexie. Alexie cancelled his convocation appearance in response to the Mississippi Legislature passing House Bill 1523, a religious freedom bill that would allow circuit clerks and private businesses to deny service to the LGBTQ community based on religious preference.
Vitter told the new students to embrace the “transformative power of higher education.”
“You each play a big part in making this place great,” Vitter said. “It’s important to remember all of you have one thing in common: You chose Ole Miss.”
Each student in attendance received a Challenge Coin bearing a different insignia with the freshman class’s graduation date. The coin is given out every year, and the design is never repeated.
This year’s coin depicts Ventress Hall, the College of Liberal Arts’ academic building. Members of the Columns Society and EDHE professors distributed the coins to students after Vitter’s address.
Vitter signed one of the convocation programs that were handed out at the door. The student who received the signed program was given a framed copy of the University Creed.
Freshman mechanical engineering major Corbin Barnes got the lucky program and said he was very excited about the gift.
The night concluded with a reciting of the university’s creed led by Powell, and a choral performance of the alma mater.
Secondary Education major Madison Roberts said the convocation made her want to get involved on campus.
“It was inspiring to hear about all of the rebels that went so far and succeeded from Ole Miss,” Roberts said.
Director of Admissions Whitman Smith said he hopes this formal academic ceremony allows students to understand the gravity of being in college, and inspires them to see themselves in a similar setting four years from now at graduation.
“It’s an opportunity to say ‘Don’t forget why you’re really here,’ which is to get an education, not necessarily a degree,” Smith said. “We want that, but an education takes place a lot more places than a classroom.”
After the speech, Vitter said he is looking forward to strengthening academic programs and research in the new year, and being a university that makes a difference around the state and nation.
“We’re ready now to go forward and start talking about what things we can do to move the envelope and make this great university even greater,” he said.
