Spring Break
The Daily OrangeConvocation kicks off academic year
By Max Nerenberg
Posted: 8/27/07, 1:30 AM EST Section: News
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In her speech, Chancellor Nancy Cantor urged the class of 2011 to learn to combine disciplines and work toward societal progress.
"There is no single recipe for making a difference," she said to about 3,100 incoming Syracuse University students and 250 State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry students in the Carrier Dome.
Cantor told the new students that SU is a place for people who want to make positive changes in the world, regardless of their field of study. She also told students they must connect to the community outside of SU. The message resonates from the core of her mission statement of "scholarship in action."
One noticeable omission from the ceremony filled with academic formalities was the chancellor's "big orange hat." For the fourth consecutive year, Cantor did not wear the traditional hat that complements the academic dress of the university president.
SUNY-ESF President Cornelius Murphy also addressed students with advice for the ambitious.
"First do what is necessary," he said. After that, students will be able to do all they thought was possible and perhaps even what they believed was impossible.
Several of the speakers discussed
"Mountains Beyond Mountains," a required reading for the incoming class. The book, written by Tracy Kidder, is a biography of Dr. Paul Farmer chronicling his attempts to bring health care to developing nations.
Anthropology professor Cecilia VanHollen broke the book down to six key points. She said the first is to question authority, but not when it comes to professors. Another is to be aware of the affect Americans have on the rest of the world. She finished by telling the students that they are responsible for leaving the world a better place.
"Personally, I felt like the speech was longer than the book itself," said Jeff Drexler, a freshman management major. "It seemed like they really wanted us to get involved."
The ceremony started with a procession of SU faculty in formal academic robes marching toward a stage set on the Carrier Dome floor. After the convocation, the audience was invited onto the field for a boxed lunch.
"I came for the enjoyment of sitting out on the field and eating lunch," said Mike Kandel, an undecided freshman in the College of Arts and Sciences.
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