New Student Convocation opened a new chapter in the lives of many Golden Grizzlies. New students and their parents joined OU administrators and faculty, dressed in full academic regalia, for the official OU welcome. OU President Gary Russi, Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Virinder Moudgil, Vice President for Student Affairs Mary Beth Snyder, Associate Professor of Political Science Dave Dulio and OU Student Body President Steve Clark provided their thoughts on OU and higher education during the ceremony.
“Today, you are venturing out on a new experience and a new chapter in your life,” said Russi. “You are beginning a great journey that we call the ‘Oakland experience.’ Your journey will be filled with challenge, hard work, new relationships and friendships, personal growth and fun. You have joined a campus that is more than 18,000 students strong.You can be proud to be a Golden Grizzly.”
Moudgil spoke next, encouraging students to participate in the student involvement fair, which was held after the ceremony. Involvement, he said, helps to enhance the classroom education.
“At Oakland University we are committed to providing students with opportunities to learn and grow in ways that will apply to the real world,” Moudgil said.
Moudgil also highlighted campus resources such as the Writing Center in Kresge Library, the International Education opportunities at OU and the many research possibilities for students.
In the keynote address, Dulio urged students to not be like him.
“You know, my first year roommate and I used to joke that we both got 4.0s our first semester…but we had to admit that it was only when we added our GPAs together,” Dulio said.
Dulio told students to explore the courses they take, get involved on campus, and to talk to professors and be their own advocates.
“I was scared of and intimidated by my professors, I never went to talk to them and didn’t get to know any of them. When I needed help, and I needed plenty of that, I didn’t go talk to them to get help and again that was a bad idea.
“Now that I’m on the other side of the classroom, and even as I went through graduate school, I think, ‘Professors are just regular people.’ And we are; it may not seem like it, but trust me. More importantly, we are here to help you and want to help you,” Dulio said.
For more information on available student services and resources for new students, visit the Orientation and New Student Programs Web site or contact them at (248) 370-4653 or gold@oakland.edu.