Chancellor Randy Woodson, Student Body President Paul Nolan and others welcomed to campus about 2,000 first year students for convocation at PNC Arena Monday afternoon. Also a speaker was Bryan Stevenson, author of “Just Mercy,” this year’s selection for NC State’s Common Reading Program.
There, Woodson applauded the diversity of this year’s freshman class.
“This freshman class is the first in our [school’s] history to have students from all 50 states, all 100 counties in North Carolina and 110 different countries, so you’re awesome,” Woodson said.
In his speech, Stevenson highlighted the power of individuals.
“I think you all have the capacity to change the world, but there are four things you have to do,” Stevenson said. “You have to get proximate … you have to change the narrative … you have to always be hopeful … and you have to get uncomfortable.”
In addition to being an author, Stevenson is a lawyer who focuses on reversing execution sentences. He believes everyone can improve themselves, no matter their prior actions.
“It doesn’t matter how capable you are, it doesn’t matter how strong you are, you will bear the burden of overcoming this presumption dangerous guilt, and I promise you it’s exhausting trying to overcome and make the people around you understand that you’re not dangerous and that you’re not guilty, but we can’t change this until we change the narrative.”
Woodson assured the students that they were welcome and that NC State will be a very successful choice for them in the future as long as they work hard and try to be interactive their 4 years at the college.
“Here’s the thing in the next 4 years you’re going to be very tired, you’re going to have a lot of opportunities to change your life and the life of people around you, and in times it will be very tiring,” Woodson said. “But as [Rosa Parks said,] ‘You gotta be brave.’”
Nolan closed out the ceremony by directing attention to a video of the university’s deans welcoming the class of 2020.
“As members of the NC State community we affirm a commitment to integrity and a pursuit of excellence in our academic, internal and professional efforts,” Nolan said. “We honor freedom of thought and expression, we respect the diversity of individuals and groups.”
After the video was played, each freshman opened an envelope that they received at the beginning of the event as they walked in, and inside the envelope was a tassel for the students to hang to motivate them everyday as they look it.
Decker Hadley, a freshman majoring in exploratory studies, enjoyed the event and felt motivated about his future career at the school.
“I definitely had fun here and I am more motivated to do well while I’m here,” Hadley said.
Vance Sawrey, also a freshman majoring in exploratory studies, wants to experience all NC State has to offer.
“I’m going to definitely experience all the aspects of campus life, attending football games, doing well in classes and meeting new people.” Sawrey said.
After the event, students were invited down to the arena floor to take a group photo as the class of 2020 was commemorated into the university.
Freshmen gather at Convocation on Aug. 15, 2016 in PNC to form their graduating year. Students are wearing their class shirts given to them at the event.
