Marymount administrators, faculty and staff officially welcomed the Class of 2023 this past Thursday at the New Student Convocation in the Rose Bent\u00e9 Lee Center.
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\nConvocation is a longstanding tradition held to celebrate the new academic year and mark the transition of incoming students to the Marymount community. Following an introduction by new Student Government Association President Sarah McDonald and an invocation from Rev. Joseph Rampino, President Irma Becerra addressed the crowd of students, parents, faculty and staff.
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\n\u0093This day represents the beginning of another chapter in your lives \u0096 one that will be filled with change, challenges and growth,\u0094 Dr. Becerra said. \u0093Where you spend your college years has a great impact on the person you become. To the parents who are in attendance today \u0096 be assured that your student made the smart choice by selecting Marymount.\u0094
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\nBecerra then reflected on Marymount\u0092s three core values \u0096 intellectual curiosity, service to others and a global perspective. She also summarized the university\u0092s mission and near 70-year history, including its transformation from a two-year, women\u0092s only college to a co-educational, doctoral-granting institution that is cutting-edge and designed for innovation.
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\n\u0093In the years to come, we expect to continue our growth and become a nationally-recognized leader of Catholic education,\u0094 Dr. Becerra added. \u0093As new members of the Marymount family, you are part of that!\u0094
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\nThe university\u0092s new Provost, Dr. Hesham El-Rewini, then introduced the most recent recipient of the Robert E. Draghi Distinguished Faculty Award, Dr. Eric Bubar. The award recognizes a faculty member who has contributed to strengthening the overall university community, demonstrates teaching excellence, supports Marymount\u0092s mission and embraces a \u0093Students Come First\u0094 philosophy.
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\nDr. Bubar, an Associate Professor in the Department of Biology and Physical Sciences, is known for his physics and astronomy expertise, as well as his research in using low-cost desktop 3D printing to create upper-limb assistive devices for individuals in need. During his remarks, he expressed how the skills Marymount students gain can solve some of the world\u0092s most significant challenges.
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\n\u0093Your faculty and staff are here to help you get the most out of your years at Marymount, so I encourage you to talk to faculty in class, approach them about research projects and get involved in on-campus clubs,\u0094 Dr. Bubar said. \u0093If you take an active part in your education, you\u0092ll truly grow over your years at Marymount.\u0094
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\nDr. Demetrius Johnson, Associate Vice President for Student Engagement and Student Affairs, also spoke to the crowd at Convocation and gave words of wisdom to the incoming students.
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\n\u0093Class of 2023, you are not here by accident,\u0094 he said. \u0093You are here on purpose, to learn with purpose, so we can help you find your purpose.\u0094
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\nFirst-year students then committed to one another by chanting in unison, \u0093Once a Saint, always a Saint!\u0094 After the conclusion of the ceremony, they paraded outside the Lee Center to ring the ceremonial bell left behind by the Class of 2014.
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\nMany new Saints said they appreciated the unique, close-knit nature of Convocation.
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\n\u0093I thought it was really different \u0096 I\u0092ve never even heard of something like this happening at most schools,\u0094 said freshman Health Sciences major, Emma Chandler. \u0093I like that the teachers came and welcomed us, and accepted us into the Marymount community.\u0094
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\n\u0093The school leaders and faculty members that spoke to us were so inspiring and encouraging,\u0094 added freshman Linda Vangura. \u0093They made it seem like we could go to them if we ever needed to during our time at Marymount, which was very nice.\u0094
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\n\u0093There\u0092s just a great sense of community here,\u0094 said freshman Amir Hall, who was also recruited to play on the Men\u0092s Basketball team. \u0093There\u0092s a lot of energy, and meeting new friends is really easy.\u0094
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\nThe freshman class is projected to have 427 members, and includes students from 30 states and 31 countries \u0096 qualifying as the university\u0092s most geographically diverse class in the past five years. Also, they have already demonstrated a commitment to academic success, sporting an average high school GPA of 3.3.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Marymount administrators, faculty and staff officially welcomed the Class of 2023 this past Thursday at the New Student Convocation in the Rose Bent\u00e9 Lee Center. \u00a0 Convocation is a longstanding tradition held to celebrate the new academic year and mark the transition of incoming students to the Marymount community. Following an introduction by new Student […]<\/p>\n