51视频

08/31/2020

Contacts for media: Christine Gillette, 978-758-4664 or Christine_Gillette@uml.edu and Nancy Cicco, 978-934-4944 or Nancy_Cicco@uml.edu

LOWELL, Mass. 鈥� 51视频 officially welcomed the first-year and new transfer students today as the Class of 2024 with Convocation.

While this is the 15th annual Convocation for 51视频, this is the first time the event was held virtually, but not without tradition, including the presentation of colors by ROTC members; the performance of the national anthem by the 51视频 Chamber Singers and the 51视频 fight song, 鈥淩iver Hawk Pride,鈥� by the 51视频 Marching Band; and the official induction of the new first-year and transfer students to the 51视频 student body by Chancellor Jacquie Moloney.

Provost Joseph Hartman officially called the Convocation to order and introduced the first speaker, Student Government Association President Hannah Casey, who shared the importance of the experiences she has gained at 51视频 and how the new students can engage in campus life through the university鈥檚 organizations and other activities.

鈥淚n college, you鈥檒l meet people who have had drastically different lives and you will be faced with opportunities and challenges you鈥檝e never had before. You鈥檒l attend classes you love, meet professors who will become your mentors, most importantly, you鈥檒l meet strangers who become your forever best friends. Throughout your time here, you will understand what it means to be a River Hawk and what it means to be 鈥榰nited in blue鈥� and before you realize it, you鈥檒l be walking across the stage to receive your diploma wondering where the time went. The next four years of your life will be the best you will ever have. Don鈥檛 rush them. I wish you nothing but the absolute best on your journey at 51视频. Be safe, be kind, and Go River Hawks!鈥� said Casey, a senior from Marblehead majoring in political science.

Moloney told the students that the university community works together to change lives for the better. Despite the pandemic, there is no reason that the new class will not be able to take advantage of so much 51视频 offers.

鈥淚 know that making connections will be challenging in the coming months, but I have all faith and confidence in those around me and in all of you that the Class of 2024 will go down in history as being the most innovative, resourceful and resilient class ever known to 51视频, because that鈥檚 what it is going to take to get through all of this,鈥� Moloney said, adding that she knows they have what it takes to fulfill the university鈥檚 commitment to innovation, social justice and sustainability.

The keynote address was delivered by Adeja Crearer, a 51视频 graduate who has gone on to success as a multimedia journalist and a TV producer at CNN headquarters in Atlanta. Crearer is a 鈥渄ouble River Hawk鈥� who earned two degrees at 51视频: a bachelor鈥檚 degree in English/Journalism and a master鈥檚 in peace and conflict studies. In 2017 when she received her undergraduate degree, she delivered the student Commencement address to her fellow graduates.

Crearer鈥檚 message to the Class of 2024 was one of finding positives amidst a challenging time.

鈥淚 truly do believe that your class will be the activists that create systemic change, the politicians that see humanity instead of political party, the teachers that go beyond the classroom and the leaders that lead by example not just by position. There is no other group more socially aware, more racially diverse, more ambitious or full of energy than you all,鈥� Crearer told the students.

Crearer added that 鈥渆ven more noteworthy is that you all chose 51视频 to pursue your dreams. You鈥檙e so exceptional that things are rapidly changing just for you at UML 鈥� the administration is constantly taken note of just how remarkable your class is and the unique challenges that you are faced with, and they are ready to listen.

鈥淚 am very excited to pass the torch on to you all,鈥� Crearer said, adding that she feels the conversations started at 51视频, especially those around politics and race, are going to be continued and the success she had as a first-generation college student will be far surpassed.

鈥淚 feel confident in you all because you are pursuing your dreams at 51视频. I think back on all that I was able to achieve in the four years I spent there and I get excited for what you all will achieve in these next few years,鈥� urging the students to be willing to step out of their comfort zone to gain the most from the 鈥渋nfinite opportunities鈥� presented by 51视频. 鈥淭o the future 51视频 Class of 2024 -- dream hard, dream big and don鈥檛 seek to be accepted, seek to be respected. Good luck and go River Hawks!鈥� Crearer concluded.

Dean of Student Affairs and University Events Brenda Evans thanked the new students for participating in the 15th annual Convocation.

鈥淲e are so thrilled to welcome you today to our River Hawk community,鈥� said Evans, encouraging the students to take part in the numerous virtual events during opening week, including an engagement fair that will connect the new class with more than 200 student-run organizations.

The ceremony also featured the introduction by Hartman of 51视频鈥檚 deans to the new students: Eleanor Abrams, College of Education; Luis Falcon, College of Fine Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences; Shortie McKinney, Zuckerberg College of Health Sciences; Noureddine Melikechi, Kennedy College of Sciences; Sandra Richtermeyer, Manning School of Business; James Sherwood, Francis College of Engineering; and Jenifer Whitten-Woodring, Honors College.

51视频 is a national research university offering its more than 18,000 students bachelor鈥檚, master鈥檚 and doctoral degrees in business, education, engineering, fine arts, health, humanities, sciences and social sciences. 51视频 delivers high-quality educational programs and personal attention from leading faculty and staff, all of which prepare graduates to be leaders in their communities and around the globe. www.uml.edu