Boston University officially welcomed the class of 2023, along with transfer students starting their first semester at BU, at the university’s annual Matriculation Ceremony in Agganis Arena on Sunday.
First-years from a class of 3,100 students filled the arena at 2:00 p.m. before speakers gave them guidance for entering a “new chapter” of their lives.
Hafzat Akanni, BU’s student body president, told the freshmen “college is a place where you lose and find yourself at the same time.” She encouraged them to embrace the ups and downs of college and to not be afraid of the explorations that college brings you.
“I’ve been a leader and a follower,” Akanni said. “I’ve dared to dream.”
Malika Jeffries-EL, an associate professor of chemistry in the College of Arts and Sciences, used a thermodynamics analogy, saying that the students were “full of potential energy, or promise.”
Jeffries-EL told the students the pressures of college would make them into a stronger person.
“Attending college was one of the best decisions in my life,” Jeffries-EL said, “and I look forward to helping you through yours.”
JR Hipple, the president of BU’s Alumni Association and a graduate of the College of Communication class of 1988, encouraged students to take advantage of the diversity and opportunities at BU. He told them to “be a sponge” and soak up as many experiences as they can.
“You will have experiences with people who don’t look like you,” Hipple said, “who don’t think like you.”
BU President Robert Brown also encouraged the students to engage with people different from themselves. He spoke about how BU’s diversity is celebrated on campus, referencing BU alumnus Martin Luther King Jr.
“Dr. King’s dream that people be judged by the content of their character and not the color of their skin has long been a reality here,” Brown said.
Brown said he wanted students to take advantage of every opportunity at BU and to stay engaged. He also emphasized the importance of voting.
“Our goal is for you to thrive and lead,” Brown said. “Your time here is precious. Use it well.”
University Provost Jean Morrison told the students that they will face hardships during their time at BU, but they can come out on top despite difficulties.
“We are confident however that you will not only meet these challenges, but excel,” Morrison said.
Lydia Harver, a freshman in Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, said she thought the presentation was a “good introduction” to the community at BU.
“I thought it was a good way to bring us all together,” Harver said.
Rachel Lee, a Sargent freshman, said she also thought matriculation gave her a good sense of what life is like at BU.
“It was definitely a nice introduction to BU and getting to know what BU is all about,” Lee said. “Hearing from other professors was nice as well.”
Isaac Ku, a Questrom School of Business freshman, said the ceremony gave him a sense of belonging.
“It was cool seeing how everyone had their own niche,” Ku said. “Everyone got to stand up for their majors and it felt really cool.”
Thank you for covering this. It was a wonderful event and we are so grateful that we now have your article to remember it by.