Matriculation ceremony welcomes class of 2015

Freshmen crowded sidewalks and marched down Commonwealth Avenue to the Harry Agganis Arena on Sunday for this year’s matriculation ceremony.

The freshman class consists of a young but accomplished group of students, according to statistics provided by BU Media Relations. Comprised of just more than 4,000 students, the freshman class boasts an SAT average of 1921, a 10-point increase from last year’s entering class. This year’s largest school, once again, is the College of Arts and Sciences.

Dean of Students Kenneth Elmore called the matriculation ceremony to order, introducing the Dean of Marsh Chapel Dr. Robert Allan Hill for an invocation encouraging students, faculty and alumni to become “healthier, more just and more connected.”

Student Union president Howard Male, a senior in the School of Management, addressed the students during the ceremony.

“You’re about to start a new portion of your life,” he said.

He compared his experience at BU to a road almost not taken during a trip in Australia.

“Exploration is what creates opportunities for you to grow,” Male said. “I wasn’t sure if I’d like Boston and I definitely wasn’t sure if I’d like snow. But I was lucky because I had all these questions. I explored a lot – I’m curious to a fault.”

Male described BU as a place “full of passionate people” and involved students. He encouraged students to follow that tradition and immerse themselves in the community.

“Today I’m giving you a challenge: continue to be someone who positively changes the community around you every day,” he said.

Associate Professor Patricia Johnson told the class of 2015 to expand their academic boundaries, as the experience will be “challenging, but rewarding.”

“You will be asked hard questions. We expect you to ask hard questions right back. This is the ideal,” she said. “The familiar is what you know. A successful undergraduate education is about learning what you don’t know. Carpe diem. Seize the day.”

Alumni Council President Shadi Daher’s speech followed Johnson’s advice, after which President Robert Brown gave a brief history of the university, calling it an institution of “firsts.”

“Our founders saw Boston University as an academic community that was open to all,” Brown said. “Diversity is woven in the fabric of BU.”

Students listened as Brown described the faults to university ranking systems and how a scholar’s individual experience is too unique to be rated.

“Make Boston University your university,” he said. “Ultimately you will be the judge of your success. Simply put, you cannot predict your future.”

Brown’s speech left lasting impressions on some freshmen, such as College of General Studies freshman Joe Markovich.

“I thought our president’s speech was the best. It was interesting, he spoke a lot about ideas in multiple categories,” he said.

University Provost Jean Morrison and Brown continued with the official matriculation of students, with cheers coming from each college when recognized.

Students at the ceremony said they left feeling motivated for the forthcoming academic year.

“It was inspiring. It was nice to feel like I’m a part of Boston University,” said CAS freshman Hanna Eichen.