The tones of “Roar, Lion, Roar” echoed throughout Columbia’s campus as the newly-arrived students from the class of 2013, their families, along with other students, faculty, and administrators sang together under tents for the convocation ceremony on Monday.
Convocation, which took place on August 31 on the lawns in front of Butler Library, officially greeted the class of 2013 and kicked off the 2009-2010 academic year with a program that included words of welcome and advice from a slew of administrators—including fresh faces Michele Moody-Adams, CC dean, and Feniosky Peña-Mora, SEAS dean.
Also included in the program were remarks from University President Lee Bollinger, Dean of Student Affairs Kevin Shollenberger, Geoffrey Colvin, CC ‘74 and President of the Columbia College Alumni Association, Dehui Kong, CC '11 and Coordinator of the New Student Orientation Program, and Nicholas Dirks, Vice President for Arts and Sciences.
Shollenberger opened the afternoon’s ceremony by warmly ushering the class of 2013 into the University.
“You are part of our family now. The Columbia family,” he said. “And we congratulate you.”
Shollenberger also praised the incoming class as being “talented, curious, and extremely capable.” He remarked on both the geographic diversity of the group, which is comprised of students from 47 states and 52 countries, as well as the widespread interests and social differences among them.
Following Shollenberger's address, Kong empathized with the overwhelming nature of beginning to study at Columbia, yet urged first-years to keep the experience in perspective.
“Be here, now,” Kong repeated throughout her talk, emphasizing the importance of savoring each aspect of the Columbia experience.
Indeed Kong’s theme of appreciating and concentrating on individual moments echoed throughout the entirety of Convocation.
Moody-Adams followed Kong’s welcome, immediately observing that the ceremony was her first convocation as well.
“I have it on authority that you and I are embarking on an extraordinary journey,” she remarked, continuing on to urge herself and the audience to heed the message of Tao Te Ching author Lao Tse: “A Journey of 1,000 miles begins with a single step.”
"If you’ve already survived move-in day, I think your off to a pretty good start," joked Moody-Adams, who recently moved in from Cornell University.
Closing the afternoon were remarks from Bollinger, who offered additional reassurance.
“You will be amazed and befuddled by the complexity of things you thought were simple,” Bollinger said. “You will feel confused and overwhelmed.” Yet, like those before him, the president heralded the new academic year by assuring his audience of his optimism. “You will never again in your lifetime have years like these,” he said.
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