Katelyn Moorman – Staff Writer
Get involved. Go to class. Ask for help. Meet new people. Make new experiences.
The UW Alumna speaker, Cathedral Home for Children Executive Director Nicole Hauser, recalled her freshman experiences during her speech at the 2019 Freshman Convocation. She recalled the excitement, anticipation, and nerves of starting college. She offered the following advice to the class of 2023.
The UW Alumna speaker, Cathedral Home for Children Executive Director Nicole Hauser, recalled her freshman experiences during her speech at the 2019 Freshman Convocation. She recalled the excitement, anticipation, and nerves of starting college. She offered the following advice to the class of 2023.
“Time will be what you make it,” she said. “Try new things. Widen your friendship circle.”
Hauser said most important was “[going] to class.” Even when it gets below freezing outside, Hauser said students should “put on [their] parkas, put on [their] boots, and go to class!”
Jason Wilkins, the ASUW President, took the stage next. Freshman Lydia Kleve said, “It was really cool to see an actual student on stage.”
Wilkins began his speech by congratulating the students, for “making the decision to attend college is a huge accomplishment.”
Wilkins said to get involved on campus in recognized student organizations (RSOs) specifically. He compared RSOs to being inside a community, and he also said that there are “zero reasons not to” join an RSO. To Wilkins, it was all about getting out of one’s comfort zone in order to do something that will “set you up for future triumphs.” Getting involved in campus life is important to Wilkins, because he said he believes that “change comes from me and you—the curious students.”
Only by getting involved can change happen. Since change is inevitable, according to Wilkins, students should embrace it.
Kate Miller, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, emphasized the role of faculty and staff in students’ lives. She made it clear that the UW faculty members are there to assist students, not the other way around. However, Miller said it is the student’s choice to go get that assistance.
Freshman Ashlie Gold liked this part of Miller’s speech. She said “When people actually say there’s staff to help you, you’re not alone.”
Involvement and interaction are what make the difference. Miller also focused on one’s true self in her speech, urging students to “Listen to yourself and your own voice” as they begin their first semester of college. She also encouraged students to be fearlessly authentic and independent in their lives.
Acting President of the University of Wyoming Neil Theobold said UW is “most known for its welcoming environment,” and that “much of that spirit can be attributed to [UW’s] faculty and staff.”
Theobold said he was first intimidated by college when he was a freshman.
“No one in my family had ever gone to college,” he said.
He invited everyone to come see him every Tuesday at 12:30 p.m. at Rendezvous Café. Theobold urges students to “come by and get a free cookie” and to “let [him] know how [faculty/staff] can be helpful.” Amy Grant, freshman, said she thought that Theobold’s speech was “opening and welcoming” since he invited the students to “go sit with him.”
