Western New England University welcomed approximately 850 new students, including more than 740 freshmen, on Friday, August 26, for annual Move-In Day and Convocation. Beginning at 8:00 a.m. incoming first-year students arrived with their families as they moved into the residence halls.
Students from the class of 2020 hail from 21 states and 10 foreign countries including Brazil, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and China. Twenty-one percent (21%) list themselves as African American, American Indian, Hispanic, Asian, multiracial, or are international students. The incoming students have expressed an interest in 66 distinct academic majors and concentrations. Thirty-seven have served as president or officers of various organizations, including their high school class, 148 were captains of athletic teams, and 92 were members of a national honor society.
Fall Convocation Ceremony began at 3:00 p.m. in the Alumni Healthful Living Center, marking the beginning of the 2016-2017 academic year by celebrating academic excellence. As part of the ceremony, first-year students were asked to sign a parchment scroll signifying their membership in the University community and their commitment to a set of community standards.
University President Anthony S. Caprio challenged the students saying, ”You must seize the opportunity, you must be prepared to work, to be responsible, to develop good habits of mind, to pursue your education actively, to appreciate your professors, and to work in partnership with us at the University. When all is said and done, you will be judged against your accomplishments, and you will judge yourself against them. So push yourself, stretch, grow. Avail yourself fully of the many opportunities that this university will afford you.”
At the event, 205 second year students were recognized for their academic achievement with induction into Alpha Lambda Delta, a national honor society that recognizes academic excellence during a student’s first year in college. The purpose of this honor is to encourage superior academic achievement among freshmen and to promote leadership early in the student’s collegiate experience. Each newly inducted member of Alpha Lambda Delta commits to participate in two community service events per year of membership.
Photos of Fall Convocation:
