Convocation, Hornet Walk welcome, inform new students

Kathi Walker / The Bulletin

Corky leads the way on the Hornet Walk for new students from the Sunken Garden to Plumb Hall on Sunday, August 17. The new students were on their way to the Convocation ceremony.

Students, parents and community members attended the annual Hornet Walk and Convocation on Sunday.

Participants were greeted by ESU faculty and Student Ambassadors as they walked through the Sunken Gardens toward Albert Taylor Hall for Convocation. Once inside, they were given advice about college and some students were awarded scholarships. The convocation, which has been held for several years, is considered the official welcome for incoming students.

Provost and Vice President Tes Mehring began the welcoming ceremony and introduced President Michael Lane. Lane said that the two parts of his job that he enjoys most are watching students enter the university and seeing them graduate.

Lane also recited a list of ten recommendations for ESU students, as well as ten things they ought to avoid. His advice included studying, going to class, getting involved, and keeping everything in balance. Lane also joked with parents who were sending their only child away to school.

“If this is your only child going away to college, get a hobby,” Lane said.

Alexis Downs, associate professor in accounting and information systems, spoke to students about their new freedom. She said that liberation really means economic freedom, and that one of the best ways to economic freedom iss through an education. Though each student works hard for this freedom, Downs said, it can sometimes seem less exciting once it is achieved.

“You’ve got to pay bills and eat,” Downs said.

Matt Seimears, assistant professor of early childhood and elementary teacher education, shared his own story of success. Seimears said that if students permit lax standards and negative messages to become part of their lives, they will live up to each of those expectations. However, if students permit positive messages and hard work to become part of their academic careers, they can achieve personal and professional success.

“What you permit, you promote,” Seimears said.

After the speeches, five winners of $500 book scholarships were drawn. Each winner came up on stage, told the audience their name and hometown and shook hands with Williams and Mehring.

Scholarship winners enjoyed the event and were excited to be presented with their awards.

“It’s really good to get back into it,” said Chris Heath, freshman library sciences major and book scholarship winner.

One of the book scholarship winners felt that attending the assembly benefited him in more ways than one.

“The advice is what you’d expect – study hard and use the faculty for help,” said Christopher Then, freshman environmental biology major and book scholarship winner. “It’s great to see how committed they are to the students’ health and welfare.”

The convocation marked the Union Activities Council’s first activity with incoming students. UAC hosts events centered on student involvement and entertainment throughout the year.

“We had an incredible turnout,” said Stacey Braun, assistant director of Student Involvement and Student Success. “This is the first year we had to open up the balcony in Albert Taylor Hall to seat people.”

Braun added that this event is dedicated to helping students get off to a good start to their college careers, which is the beginning of a significant milestone in each student’s life. Despite the hard work involved in college, however, the theme of the event was finding a balance with all of the changes that come with the college lifestyle.

“We really want them to have a good time as well as academic success,” Braun said.