“Humankind created the Internet, eradicated polio and landed a man on the moon. What will we do? What will be the great accomplishment of our generation?” asked Student Government President Nate Bronstein at this morning’s Freshman Convocation.
The ceremony began before a sea of new faces as representatives of the AU community welcomed the freshman Class of 2014 in Bender Arena.
After Bronstein, speakers at the ceremony also included President Neil Kerwin, Provost Scott Bass and the keynote speaker, Washington College of Law professor Andrew Popper, last year's scholar/teacher of the year.
Kerwin acknowledged that convocation is a major turning point in the lives of AU’s newest students.
“The opportunities and challenges [of AU] will require the full measure of your intelligence and discipline, but trust me when I tell you the rewards they hold cannot be overestimated,” Kerwin said.
Provost Scott Bass spoke about the intelligence, passion and commitment to service present in the class.
“Out of 17,000 applicants, you were selected not only because of academic excellence but because your interests match what we do best,” Bass said to the 1500 freshmen. “It’s this fit between you and American University that makes it possible for you to have one of these special and coveted seats in this room today.”
Popper, the keynote speaker, has been with AU for 31 years. Popper previously served as the Dean of WCL from 1988 to 1995 before going back to teaching as a professor.
He warned students against specializing in certain studies too early. He also encouraged students to be lifelong learners and to master the fundamentals and basics of a subject before narrowing their focus.
Popper spoke of the potential of the freshman class, repeatedly stressing that students at AU today are the university’s future.
“You are going to know the successful and the oppressed,” Popper said. “You are going to be part of — or central to — the continuous reformation of our legal system, our medical technology, our economic order and our scientific and artistic domains. You will be the ones who will change our lives; you will be the ones who will change this planet.”
Bronstein, a junior in the school of Public Affairs, spoke about the “the great ideas and dreamers sitting before him.”
He went on to describe the qualities that will be a driving force of the Class of 2014 — determination, passion and innovation.
“We will generate hope through politics, allow innovation through the sciences or beauty through art,” Bronstein said. “With nothing more than drive and an unbeatable determination to do the job at hand, we will throw every ounce of our passion into what we love, and oftentimes for those we love.”
amooney@theeagleonline.com
