2012 Penn State New Student Convocation

>> Robert Melton:
Ladies and gentlemen will you
please rise and remain standing
for the procession
and for the National Anthem.
[ Music ]
>> We shall now sing the
National Anthem led by Blue
in the Face.
>>One, two--
>> [Group singing] Oh, say,
can you see,
by the dawn's early light.
What so proudly we hailed
at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes
and bright stars,
through the perilous fight,
o'er the ramparts we watched,
were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets' red glare,
the bombs bursting in air,
gave proof through the night
that our flag was still there.
Oh say, does
that star-spangled banner
yet wave, o'er the land
of the free and the home
of the brave?
Home of the brave.
[ Applause ]
[ Silence ]
>> Robert Melton:
Convocation is hereby called
to order.
Please be seated.
My name is Robert Melton.
I'm a Professor
of Aerospace Engineering
and also Director
of Undergraduate Studies
in that program.
And on behalf
of the Pennsylvania State
University I want
to welcome each of you
to this occasion.
This convocation ceremony is
patterned after a ritual
which has been repeated
through the long history
of higher education
and duplicated throughout the
world wherever there are
colleges and universities.
The robes that we wear
and the symbols
of the ceremony are
from the middle ages.
The mace is a symbol
of the authority
of the university
and hours was carved
from a newel post
from the original old
main building.
But the spirit
of this event is modern
and focused on the future.
Today we mark the beginning
of your journey
in higher education.
In a few short years we all
assemble again
to celebrate your graduation
from Penn State.
And I offer you my best wishes
for your success
beginning today.
To conclude my official duty I
ask that once again you
please rise.
[ Crowd standing ]
>> President Erickson
by the authority vested in me
as the University Marshall
and a member
of the Penn State faculty,
I wish to present you
with the class of 2016,
with all the rights, privileges
and responsibilities
thereunto appertaining.
[ Applause ]
>> President Erickson:
Thank you.
Thank you Doctor Melton,
class of 2016,
good evening Penn State.
[ Crowd cheering ]
>> As your first official act
as Penn State students please
sit down.
Thank you.
I'm Rodney Erickson,
President of the Pennsylvania
State University and I'm here
with my colleagues this evening
to officially welcome you
to what is now your university.
Tonight we wish
to share a few important facts
about campus
and your fellow students.
But before we begin I hope
you'll join me
in thanking the talented
students and Blue in the Face
for their wonderful performance
this evening.
[ Applause ]
>> Also let's recognize the
dedicated team of students,
RA welcome week crew and members
of the faculty and staff
who have been working so hard
to prepare for your arrival.
Thanks.
[ Applause ]
>> Thank you and I'd
like to introduce one last group
in the audience we have members
of the Board of Trustees,
the faculty senate,
our senior administration
as well as a number of faculty
and staff members.
Can all of you please rise
and be recognized?
Thank you.
[ Applause ]
>> It's an honor
to address you today.
You are a part of one
of the best universities
in America, an institution
that is known nationally
and internationally
for excellence in teaching,
research and service.
Unfortunately,
over the last nine months Penn
State has also become know
for a number of other issues
that have in many cases
overshadowed the many
outstanding activities
at Penn State.
I assure you we are addressing
those challenges.
Now I promise you we will emerge
from past events as a stronger,
better university.
I'm incredibly proud
of the work we do at Penn State.
Our brilliant faculty
and staff members
who shape our students lives,
our 800 million dollar research
enterprise that's finding
solutions to the world's most
pressing problems,
and our service in philanthropy
that benefits human kind.
No one, no one does this work
better than Penn State.
And you will play an important
role in shaping our future here.
We're delighted
that you're with us.
This convocation marks the
ceremonial beginning
of your academic pursuits,
but more importantly it's
intended to better acquaint you
with some of Penn State's
people, expectations
and opportunities while giving
you a few insights
into the college life.
What is Penn State really like?
That will largely depend
on the choices you make,
but one thing is certain,
your first year will be
like no other.
To give you a greater
appreciation
of your fellow students I'd
like to share some defining
characteristics
of the class of 2016.
You are academically
distinguished; 136 students were
in the top one percent
of their high school class
and nearly half were
in the top ten percent.
Only .02 percent of students
who take the SAT receive a
perfect score and one
of them is sitting you--
among you today.
So, you might want that person
in your study group.
[ Laughter ]
>> I know you're all trying
to find who that is.
Seventy seven percent
of this class attended public
schools, seventeen percent
attended private schools
and six percent attended charter
schools who were home schooled.
You've come
from 74 different countries
and every state except
Mississippi, Montana
and South Dakota,
maybe next year.
[South Dakota] Two hundred
twenty five student athletes
will be competing
in our 31 varsity sports
including our two newest
division teams,
mens and women's ice hockey.
[ Crowd cheering ]
>> I'd say we have a few hockey
amongst us.
One student is a national
competitor in an activity
that is part extreme sport,
part art form.
That sport is jump roping
and this student was ranked
among the top competitors
in the nation.
[ Crowd cheering ]
>> Others have found recognition
through their relationship
with animals.
One student won first place
in the grand nationals world
championship horse show
in Oklahoma City.
Another wrote a book,
"Hamlet's Journey"
about her experiences raising
dogs for training services.
Other students have traveled the
world during gap year
and other educational programs.
One student even was named,
"The People
to People Student Ambassador
of the Year."
And here's a special talent
that might come in handy
to break up long nights
of studying, speed cubing.
One incoming student can solve a
standard Rubik's cube in less
than 90 seconds.
And then the 5 by 5
by 5 Rubik's cube in less
than 15 minutes.
That's a good person
for your math study group.
As President of Penn State,
I am extremely proud
of all your talents,
your brain power
and your achievements.
I know you will accomplish great
things in college and well
into the future.
Wherever you go if you say,
"I'm a Penn State student"
you're likely
to find other proud Penn
Staters, for our university
family is more
than 550,000 strong
and fiercely loyal.
One in 117 Americans,
1 in 117 American
with a college degree is a Penn
State graduate.
And our institution is highly
ranked from everything
from the quality
of our academic programs
to global experiences
to opportunities outside
the classroom.
The experiences you have
and the friends you make during
your time at Penn State will be
truly unforgettable.
I speak from experience.
I have been with Penn State
for over 35 years
as a faculty member in geography
and business
and administrative positions
including Provost
and now President.
What's more my two sons
graduated from Penn State,
so I know a little
about student life.
I do mean a little,
because as your parents learned
when they dropped you off today
what happens in college stays
in college.
[ Crowd cheering ]
>> Well, at least most
of the time.
Issues such as homework,
your love life
and your behavior are now
on your shoulders.
You may handle things a little
differently than your parents
but I hope you will rely
on the values
and lessons instilled in you
by your families,
because they will serve you well
in the future.
We also hope that you will feel
like you are joining an extended
family, one that is rich
in diversity.
Here you will find not only
geographical
and academic diversity,
but differences in race,
religion, ethnicity,
sexual orientation and age,
yet everyone
at Penn State shares the common
bonds of history, hard work,
ambition and optimism.
As the great Headmaster
Dumbledore once said,
[ Crowd cheering ]
>> "Difference of habit
and language are nothing at all
if our aims are identical
and our hearts are open",
good advice.
Right now please watch a short
video that introduces some
of the remarkable people
at this university.
>> Robert Pangborn: [Music] Hi,
I'm Robert N. Pangborn,
Interim Executive Vice President
and Provost.
>> Damon Sims:
And I'm Damon Sims,
Vice President
for Student Affairs.
We want to welcome you
to what is now your university.
Penn State is a very special
place, made even more
so by our 96,000 students
on 24 campuses and on line
through our world campus.
Let's meet a few of them now.
[ Music ]
>> No one ever
in my family has ever been
to college.
So, being here
at Penn State has been very
exciting for me.
>> I only applied to schools
with fencing programs.
I guess I found
out about Penn State
through my dad.
He's always been a Penn State
fan even though he hasn't gone
to Penn State.
>> My parents moved here
from Mexico
because they were looking
for better opportunities.
For me to be able to go
to college is a dream come true
for them.
>> My father is a teacher
by profession and growing
up I learned
that the most important thing
in life is your education.
>> Your education is
at the heart of everything we do
at Penn State.
College is a time
for exploration and discovery.
It's a time to work side by side
with fellow students and faculty
in the research laboratories
and performance venues.
>> The academics really made me
fall in love with Penn State;
the number of options
that we have here
and everyone is
so helpful to us.
>> When I first got here I was
just really like shy.
I didn't know who to talk to.
So, the four years I have been
here have been
so eye opening for me.
>> [Music] Beginning today
you're every bit a part
of this community
in the same way that I
and my colleagues
who work every day here are.
You are expected we hope
to participate equally
in all the activities
of the university community,
the decision making that's
so important
in a university community.
You can do that through your
organizations and clubs,
through activities
with student governance,
through other kinds
of service opportunities
that you may have.
We all share equally
in the responsibilities
and the benefits of being a part
of this community
and this is really your first
chance I think
to discover what it means
to make a difference
in the world
and that starts here
at Penn State.
>> The one thing
that Penn State has taught me
more than anything is really the
value of giving back,
the value of really serving the
community, making a difference
wherever possible.
Obviously it gives you a world
class education,
but it gives you so many skills
that you wouldn't
learn otherwise.
>> The people
of this place are what make
this place.
It's about the community.
That's what makes Penn State
what it is.
>> There are so many of us here
and we're all so different,
but we all share a love
for Penn State,
but I think that's what really
brings us all together
as a whole.
>> Welcome to Penn State.
[ Music ]
[ Applause ]
>> Rodney Erickson:
We are a community
and we are continuing to evolve
into a better,
stronger university
that is a model
of educational excellence.
Our traditions date back
to our institution's founding
in 1855, a time
when students attended school
from February through December
without a break,
performed three hours
of manual labor each day
and had meals
in a dining room students
described as a shanty behind
old main.
Today that shanty has been
replaced with more
than 35 great places to eat.
You'll enjoy delicious options
ranging from sushi
to creamery ice cream
to mandarin chicken.
Incidentally,
last year Penn State served
nearly one million pounds
of chicken.
That's 22 full tractor trailers
worth including enough chicken
breasts to feed the entire
population of Pittsburgh twice
with leftovers.
Another change
from the old days is
that we no longer ask our
students to perform
manual labor.
However, you will be expected
to work hard in your classes.
Everyone here has the potential
to be an excellent student.
That's why you were invited
to roll in this university.
But remember,
the pace will be fast
and the expectations will
be high.
One of the best choices you can
make is to take your academic
responsibilities seriously.
Attend every class,
talk to your professors,
find out about their research
in teaching.
Although I realize a lot
of you haven't unpacked your
suitcases yet, let alone settled
on a major, its not too early
to start thinking
about your goals for your time
at Penn State.
Some of your decisions
that you make along the way will
have a great impact on options
that are available to you later.
Think about what's important
to you and pursue opportunities
as they arise.
As former Yankees manager
and philosopher Yogi Berra once
said, "When you come to a fork
in the road, take it."
For example,
if you are interested
in a particular program,
have your heart
on studying abroad
or want an internship,
find out now what you have to do
in order to be ready.
There are people at Penn State
who can help you identify
choices and advise
as to the consequences
of certain alternatives.
Take the time to talk to them.
Undergraduate education is a top
priority for this university
and our faculty
and staff will make every effort
to support your
educational goals.
One of the ways you can learn
more about your interest is
to work side by side
with high caliber faculty
on research
or various service projects.
Get involved early
and you could find yourself
working on a project
that is really out there.
Let's watch a brief example now.
>> Penn State was founded
in 1855 as a land
grant university.
[Background Music] More
than 150 years later a group
at Penn State named The Lunar
Lion Team is eyeing a new piece
of property.
>> Google has put
up a 20 million dollar grand
prize for the first team
to land a spacecraft
on the moon.
We're going to keep going
and we're going
to see this all the way
through to the end
and we're going
to put Penn State on the moon.
>> [Music] I'm proud
of Penn State
to be the only university
led team.
It just shows the drive
and perseverance
that students do have.
I had to put my own future
on the line when I turned
down a job offer so I could stay
and work on the project.
>> It's really a collaborative
project that involves the
college of engineering,
college of science,
college of earth
and mineral sciences
and information science
and technology as well
as the applied
research laboratory.
>> We have access to students,
students who otherwise might go
into computer programming to get
into the gaming mode
or into internet business.
They're going to look at this
and see an opportunity to work
on an interplanetary mission,
send something
out to the solar system,
out to the moon.
Where else are they going to get
to do this as a student?
>> When we build this spacecraft
we're going to have the benefit
of a lot of the resources here
at Penn State.
So, I know that this mission is
going to be the lowest cost,
landed mission to the moon
in history.
>> We use solar power
because it is one
of the most readily accessible
power supplies in space
and it's also really cheap
compared to any other options
you might have.
>> I feel like we're going
to win this competition
because we're focused
on strictly objectives.
We're not worried
any flashiness.
We have the minimal amount
of subsystems
that do the job necessary.
So, as long as we're focused
on our goal,
focused on our requirements
of our system,
I think that we can't be beat.
>> [Music] The Lunar Lion Team
has goals of not only winning
the competition,
but advancing the goals
of the university.
[ Applause ]
>> Rodney Erickson:
Being part of a large public
research university provides you
with opportunities
that many undergraduates
elsewhere can't experience.
It's also important to remember
that Penn State is part
of the larger state college
community, comprised
of families, children,
the elderly, business owners,
neighbors and friends.
Please give them your respect
and I urge you to get involved
in community volunteer
activities and organizations.
One of the best ways you can
participate in community life is
by exercising our right to vote.
We have an important
Presidential election coming
in November and I hope all
of you will cast your ballot.
Look for voter registration
tables in The Hub and downtown
in coming weeks.
You can also vote
by absentee ballot
in your home community.
That brings me
to my last piece of advice.
I encourage all of you to get
to know well
at least one faculty
or staff member this year.
Penn State may be large,
but there is a real family
feeling here.
Again, thank you
for choosing Penn State.
[ Applause ]
>> And now I'd
like to introduce Doctor Deborah
Hawhee, Professor of English
in the College
of the Liberal Arts.
She is also a Penn State Alumna,
earning her PhD before joining
our faculty.
[ Applause ]
>> Deborah Hawhee:
Thank you Doctor Erickson.
Imagine that you enter a parlor.
You come late.
When you arrive,
others have long preceeded you
and they're engaged
in a heated discussion;
a discussion to heated for them
to pause and tell you exactly
what it's about.
In fact, the discussion had long
begun before any
of them got there,
so that no one present is
qualified to retrace
for you all the steps
that had gone before.
You listen a while
until you decide you've caught
the tenor of the argument
and then you put in your or.
Someone answers, you answer her,
another comes to your defense,
another supports what you have
to say, another disagrees.
The discussion, however,
is interminable.
The hour grows late.
You must depart
and you do depart,
with the discussion still
vigorously in progress.
This scenario was offered
in 1939 by a thinker
and a writer named Kenneth Burke
to illustrate the unfolding
drama of language.
Burke as it happens has
connections to Penn State.
He did a little teaching here
and when he died in 1992,
the library acquired his papers.
If you go into the special
collections room
at the library you'll see a very
large bust of him.
Burke refers
to this imagined scene
in the parlor
as the unending conversation.
This unending conversation can
be read as a metaphor for life
in the sense
that everything is ongoing
and we arrive
and after we depart everything
will still go on.
But the unending conversation is
mainly about the give and take
of discussion, of deliberation.
Conversations
like the one Burke describes go
on everywhere in your lives.
And in the next four years they
will continue to play
out in your classrooms,
on your Facebook pages
and in your civic spaces.
As you well know
and as Burke knew too,
these conversations can
get heated.
They can get gritty.
They also involve everyone
around us including those
with whom we disagree and those
who might agree with us.
A heated, very heated set
of discussions is going
on not just at Penn State,
but about Penn State.
Like it or not each one
of you has been drawn
into that conversation.
And while that conversation
might be the loudest right now,
it's not the only one.
Over the next four years you'll
participate in all kinds
of conversations and one
of the most important things
your college education will help
you do is to prepare you
to respond to equip you
to figure out what's being said,
what values are being defended
or cast aside
and what you might want to say
about it all.
You'll recall Burke's scenario
marks out a period of listening.
Learning to listen to people
who think differently
from you might be one
of the most important lessons
of higher education.
Too many people flee
from disagreements thinking its
rude or scary,
but disagreement is crucial
for a smart thriving citizenry.
Taking the time
to listen is crucial.
Listening will improve
the conversation.
Listening will help you reflect
on what is really at issue
in the conversation
and it will lead
to more thoughtful responses
when you decide to put
in your or.
When disagreement is cast
in terms of good and evil
and the discussion becomes
so polarized that it devolves
into shouting or name calling,
that's when we're in trouble.
You education will also help you
become better participants
because the courses you take
here and the disciplines you
study will give you ways to find
out what you think
and help you know when to put
in your or.
In a philosophy course,
you might inquire
into belief itself.
A history course will help you
examine conversations
of the past.
A literature course will
introduce you to some
of the best
that has been thought and said.
A chemistry course will show you
how to test knowledge
through
rigorous experimentation.
A sociology course will give you
tools to learn
about how people interact
and so on.
All I contend will help you be a
better participant
in these ongoing conversations.
You'll leave here knowing more
stuff sure,
but the important thing is
that you leave here not
necessarily knowing what
to think, but how to think;
how to really ruminate
over hard questions and how
to do this for yourself
and in relation to others
who are different from you.
This to me, is the lasting value
of the education you're
about to begin.
All the knowledge you'll
acquire, make and deliberate
about will help you become more
thoughtful, active, respectful,
emphatic citizens
in your communities,
your countries and your world.
On behalf of Penn State faculty
I welcome you to the university
and encourage you
to embrace the intellectual
challenges of this lively,
unending conversation.
Thanks.
[ Applause ]
>> Good evening.
I'm Blannie Bowen, Vice Provost
for Academic Affairs here
at Penn State.
I'm very pleased
to welcome you this evening.
I've been with Penn State
for 24 years serving
as a professor in the college
of agriculture,
sciences in American Extension
Education and several other
administrative positions.
As vice provost,
I work with our faculty
on many matters related
to your education.
They are an extraordinary group
and right now I will introduce
the faculty representatives
from each college.
When the faculty member stands I
will then ask the students
enrolled in that particular
college to stand as well.
This will give you a first look
at some of your classmates.
Now let's get started.
I'll begin with the College
of Agricultural Sciences,
which is one of the largest
such agricultural colleges
in the nation
and my academic home.
Representing the College
of Agricultural Sciences is
Doctor Robert Shannon,
Associate Professor
of Agricultural
and Biological Engineering
and Coordinator
of the Environmental
Resources Management.
Will the students
in agricultural sciences
please stand.
[ Applause ]
>> Thank you.
You may be seated.
The College of Arts
and Architecture provides a
thriving arts community
with academic programs, museums
and performances.
Representing the college is
Doctor Cecilia Rusnak,
Associate Professor
of Landscape Architecture.
Will the students in the College
of the Arts
and Architecture please stand.
[ Applause ]
>> Thank you.
The Smeal College
of Business consistently ranks
number one among employers
surveyed by Bloomberg Business
Week as having the best
undergraduate business program
in the country.
Representing the College is
Doctor Lisa O'Hara,
Assistant Clinical Professor
of Management and Organization.
Will the students
of the Smeal College
of Business please stand.
[ Applause ]
>> Thank you.
In the spring the College
of Communications captured the
national championship
of the William Randolph Hurst
Foundations journalism awards
program, which is often called
the Pulitzers
of college journalism.
Representing the college is
Doctor Patrick Parsons,
the Don Davis Professor
of Ethics.
Will the students of the College
of Communications please stand.
[ Applause ]
>> Thank you.
More than 20 percent
of first year students begin
in a Division
of Undergraduate Studies.
Representing DUS is Doctor Eric
White, Executive Director.
Will students of the Division
of Undergraduate Studies
please stand.
[ Applause ]
>> Thank you as well.
Five faculty members
of the College of Earth
and Mineral Sciences share the
2007 Nobel Peace Prize.
Representing the college is
Doctor Ara Allan Kimmel,
Assistant Professor
of Materials Science
and Engineering
and Associate Head
for Undergraduate Studies.
Will students from the College
of the Earth
and Mineral Sciences
please stand.
[ Applause ]
>> Thank you.
The U.S. News
and World Report ranks the
College of Education
in the top tier
for undergraduate education.
Representing the college is
Doctor Fran Arbaugh,
Associate Professor
of Mathematics Education
and co-editor to "The Journal
of Teacher Education."
Will students from the College
of Education please stand.
[ Applause ]
>> Thank you as well.
The College
of Engineering has trained
about one in fifty engineers
in the U.S. Representing the
College of Education is Andy
Lau, Associate Professor
of Engineering Design.
Will students in the College
of Engineering please stand.
[ Applause ]
>> Now you see why we have more
than fifty.
The College of Health
and Human Development is
committed to improving the
quality of life.
Representing the college is
Doctor Patricia Barthalow Koch,
Professor of Bio
Behavioral Health.
Will the students in the College
of Health and Human Development
please stand.
[ Applause ]
>> Thank you.
The first students enrolled
in the College
of Information Sciences
and Technology in 1999
and since then it has been
highly ranked in everything
from cyber security
to information systems
to technology startups.
Representing the college is
Doctor Marybeth Rosson,
Associate Dean
of Undergraduate Studies.
Will the students in the College
of Information Sciences
and Technology please stand.
[ Applause ]
>> Thanks as well.
This year three faculty members
of the College
of the Liberal Arts won coveted
Guggenheim Fellowships.
Representing the college is
Doctor Deborah Hawhee who,
that you met earlier.
Students who are in the College
of the Liberal Arts
please stand.
[ Applause ]
>> Thank you as well.
The School of Nursing's incoming
class typically has the highest
GPA of all of Penn
State colleges.
Representing the school is Mary
Ellen Yonushonis,
instructor of nursing.
Will students with the School
of Nursing please stand.
[ Applause ]
>> Thank you as well.
Nearly half
of upper level students
in the Eberly College
of Science participate
in undergraduate research.
Representing the college is
Doctor Mary Beth Williams,
Associate Dean
for Undergraduate Education.
Will students
in the Eberly College
of Science please stand.
[ Applause ]
>> Thank you to all of you.
Congratulations and welcome
to Penn State.
[ Applause ]
>> Now it gives me great
pleasure to introduce Courtney
Lennartz, President
of the University Park
Undergraduate Student Body
and a senior majoring
in Health Policy
and Administration, Courtney.
[ Applause ]
>> Courtney Lennartz:
Welcome class of 2016!
[ Crowd cheering ]
>> It's my distinct honor
to welcome you
to the greatest university
in the world.
Whether you realize it yet
or not, the people seated
around you will impact your next
four or five years at Penn State
and in many ways, shape the rest
of your life.
I want to start off
by saying thank you.
Thank you on behalf
of your 96,000 classmates
and 557,000 Penn State alumni
across the globe.
You stuck with Penn State
when times were tough.
That's something
that takes a special kind
of person.
During a time
when so many others turn their
back on this university,
you believed in us.
You believe in our core values,
which despite what some may say
are forever and wavering and for
that I am eternally grateful.
But, not that you're here it's
really up to all of us.
We are responsible
for continuing the incredible
legacy that so many have paved
before us.
It is a unique moment
in our university's history
and as a result there's never
been a more important class
than yours.
I believe in all of you just
as we should all believe
in each other.
Together we can make an impact
and continue the glory
and mission
of our extraordinary university.
Let us find the courage to look
within ourselves and stay loyal
and true to Penn State
and to each other.
Three years ago when I sat
in this room I had no idea what
to expect from Penn State.
But what I found was another
family, a big loud sometimes
crazy fun and loving family made
of my roommates, classmates,
friends and the many,
many people I interact
with every day.
The Penn State community is a
term that you'll hear thrown
around quite a bit,
but that's exactly what it is;
a living learning community
that works for the glory
of this great university.
If I may offer you one piece
of advice, it's get involved
right away.
With over 900 student
organizations ranging
from Greek life
to student government,
there's something here
for everyone.
After listening to the NUQA,
Gavin Keirans talk
about his experience during my
freshman convocation,
I decided to apply for one
of the two freshman position;
I didn't even get an interview.
But I didn't let that deter me.
I got involved in other things
like Resident's Life,
[Inaudible] gymnastics
and Greek Life
until another opportunity
to join NUGA presented itself.
Now I hold the top stop
in student government
and I can honestly say
that being involved
in so many different things has
made my Penn State experience.
So, go to the football games.
Take part in the world's largest
dance marathon,
conduct research,
become a reporter
for the daily [Inaudible]
or even do something completely
crazy like run
for student body president.
Just remember
that everything you do
represents Penn State
and everyone
that has come before you.
If you aren't sure of what
to join stop by Alumni
and Heritage Hall in The Hub
at the involvement fair this
Monday through Thursday.
Or if you're looking
for an easy way
to meet other new students,
you can sign
up for The Fresh Start Day
of Service on September 8th.
Typically, 800 students
participate
in approximately four hours
of service on campus
or in the community.
You can register
at volunteer.psu.edu.
Don't take one minute,
don't take one second
of your time here for granted
because it will be over faster
than you can ever imagine.
A lot has changed here
in Happy Valley
since the time I was sitting
where you are now.
And I can honestly say three
years later coming
to Penn State is still the best
decision I've ever made.
Not once have I doubted the
decision, not one time.
Congratulations again
on your acceptance.
You are now officially part
of the greatest family
in the world;
the Penn State Family.
We are:
>> [Group response] Penn U!
>> Thank you.
And this formally concludes
our program.
We will see you guys
at Late Night,
which immediately begins
in The Hub.
[ Applause ]