VCU news

By Mike Porter

Virginia Commonwealth University rolled out the welcome mat for the Class of 2018 on Tuesday, with New Student Convocation, a class photo and the Ram Spirit Walk.

More than 2,000 freshman and transfer students attended the New Student Convocation at the Siegel Center. President Michael Rao, Ph.D., challenged students to use their experiences at VCU to better the world.

“Think about the differences you can make in other people’s lives,” Rao said. “I know that you came to VCU not just to get a degree and a good job, but to gain perspective and true meaning — and not only to prepare yourself for the world, but to see how you might lead it.”

John Wiencek, Ph.D., interim provost and vice president for academic affairs, advised students to have a plan for their education, mind their grade point average, get engaged with their campus and community and ask questions.

“These next few years will prepare and equip you for a life of meaning and purpose, to find out who you are and to make new lifelong friends who come from different backgrounds,” Wiencek said. “I want you to make your time at VCU a distinctive experience.”

Dave Eggers, author of “The Circle,” the University College Summer Reading Program book that all entering freshmen were expected to read before arriving on campus, invited 11 students to join him on stage for a discussion of the novel.

“The Circle” is set in the not-so-distant future and follows a young woman’s journey as she joins the world’s most powerful Internet company and must confront the balance between the company’s push for total transparency and concerns about privacy.

Following the convocation, the Class of 2018 posed for a class photo at the Siegel Center and then participated in the Ram Spirit Walk, in which VCU’s pep band, the Peppas, led new students in a parade down Broad Street to Monroe Park.

Other VCU students, faculty, staff and community members cheered for the new students and took pictures as the procession made its way down Broad Street.

The Clover Hill High School marching band from Chesterfield County also performed at the cookout and block party that followed in the park.

The day’s events are part of Welcome Week activities to help new students learn more about VCU and begin to settle in before the start of classes.

Garrett Pearson, a freshman from Rockville, Maryland, said Welcome Week is a great way to meet people and get connected.

“I love it,” Pearson said. “It’s exciting.”

Ciara Butts of Virginia Beach and Jeeha Kamran of Falls Church didn’t know each other a week ago but they’ve become fast friends.

"I know VCU is the right choice for me,” Kamran said. “And this week proves it because everyone makes you feel so welcome.”

Butts and Kamran said the first days at VCU have given them an opportunity to find out more about student organizations that match their interests. They’ve checked out several sports and spiritual organizations.

“It’s just a great opportunity to familiarize yourself with what VCU has to offer,” Butts said.

 

Subscribe for free to the weekly VCU News email newsletter at http://newsletter.news.vcu.edu/ and receive a selection of stories, videos, photos, news clips and event listings in your inbox every Thursday. VCU students, faculty and staff automatically receive the newsletter.