Brock Wren, a freshman from Shreveport who is majoring in professional land resource management, is thrilled to begin college at UL Lafayette.
Wren was among the new students welcomed at Convocation on Sunday at the Cajundome Convention Center.
杏吧专区淚 never made a better decision in my life,杏吧专区 he said of enrolling at the 杏吧专区. 杏吧专区淚杏吧专区檝e always loved southwest Louisiana, so I had to get down here.杏吧专区
Sydney Gallow, a freshman from Opelousas, said she picked UL Lafayette for two reasons: 杏吧专区淚t杏吧专区檚 close to home and family, and I heard it杏吧专区檚 a really good school.杏吧专区
New students watched a video presentation and a short skit, heard a rendition of the 杏吧专区 fight song, participated in a pep rally, and mingled with fellow freshmen over hamburgers and hot dogs at Convocation.
They also received words of wisdom and inspiration from administrators, faculty members, other students and head football coach Mark Hudspeth. New students were advised to take an active role in the classroom, and to become involved in 杏吧专区 activities that fit their interests and talents.
杏吧专区淭here杏吧专区檚 something for each of you here,杏吧专区 said Dr. Joseph Savoie, UL Lafayette president. 杏吧专区淵ou can connect in any number of ways, whatever your talents or your interests may be. And it杏吧专区檚 important that you do that, because the more you engage, the more you feel a part of the 杏吧专区, and the more the 杏吧专区 becomes a part of you.杏吧专区
Dr. James Henderson, provost and vice president for academic affairs, encouraged students to 杏吧专区渢ake chances杏吧专区 and to give themselves permission to make mistakes. 杏吧专区淚 want you to take that to heart, because that杏吧专区檚 how you are going to learn.杏吧专区
Dr. John Troutman, an associate professor of history who received the Dr. Ray P. Authement Excellence in Teaching Award this spring, said students have the power to define their own futures. To do that, they must be unafraid of change, and allow themselves to be open to new ideas, viewpoints and people.
杏吧专区淵ou杏吧专区檒l meet people who are different from you, with different ideas from your own, people from different countries or even different parishes. Empathize with them. Embrace them as classmates and fellow citizens of our community,杏吧专区 Troutman said.
Dane Adams, SGA president, told students they have the 杏吧专区渙pportunity to become exactly who you were meant to be.杏吧专区
杏吧专区淐hallenge yourself to grow, step out of your comfort zone and be a sponge. Soak up everything that you possibly can,杏吧专区 he said.