News > August 30, 2007

By Blake Brittain | Staff writer

University President Nathan O. Hatch, Dean of Freshman Paul Orser and Dean of the College Deborah Best welcomed new students and wished them luck Aug. 24 as hundreds of new students and anxious parents packed Wait Chapel during convocation.

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Professor David Coates leads the faculty procession as students and parents look on at New Student Convocation Aug. 24 in Wait Chapel. Freshmen were welcomed by University President Nathan O. Hatch and others. (Ken Bennett/WFU News Service)

“For all of you, students and parents alike, this is a momentous day,” Hatch said. “On any scale, going off to college is a seismic event. The emotional Richter scale jumps to new levels.”

Hatch also discussed his experiences as a college student, and explained how three of his college professors challenged him and helped to shape the person that he is today.

“My advice today is simple. First, we welcome each of you to this community with open embrace. You are a member in full standing. Second, engage the faculty. They love to have conversation partners,” Hatch said.

“Third, become active learners. In most cases, what you get out of a course will be proportionate to what you invest in it. Finally, wrestle with the big questions about the meaning of life, about faith, service and vocation. When all is said and done, ask this question: In what do I want to invest my life?”

Orser used his convocation speech to talk about the nature and reputation of difficult coursework at the university.

“Right here on this campus we have our own observation on work – highly distilled, created and promoted by our students in their loving nickname for this place – Work Forest,” he said. “Expend high quality energy from day one to the very finish. In just five words — Work First, not Work Forest.”

Best quipped about the oppressive heat during move-in day before offering some of her own advice. “You are a special class. You have the distinction of being one of the few classes to deal with temperatures over 95 degrees on move-in day,” she said.

“By the time you have children to whom you will tell college tales, yesterday will probably be the only 110 degree weather experienced in Wake Forest history and you had to drag all your electronic toys, futons, clothes up three flights of stairs while your parents sipped Starbucks cappuccinos in the bookstore.

“Be kind to each other, make lasting friendships, apply yourself as if your future depends on it, because it does,” Best continued.

“On behalf of the faculty and my colleagues in the Dean’s Office, I welcome you and look forward to our future years together at Wake Forest and beyond. This is the beginning of the Wake Forest magic.”

“On behalf of all of us at Wake Forest, let me say again how delighted we are to have you as a student here,” Hatch said.

“Welcome to the conversation.”