Brock Wren, a freshman from Shreveport who is majoring in professional land resource management, is thrilled to begin college at UL Lafayette.
Wren was among the new students welcomed at Convocation on Sunday at the Cajundome Convention Center.
小蝌蚪APP淚 never made a better decision in my life,小蝌蚪APP he said of enrolling at the 小蝌蚪APP. 小蝌蚪APP淚小蝌蚪APP檝e always loved southwest Louisiana, so I had to get down here.小蝌蚪APP
Sydney Gallow, a freshman from Opelousas, said she picked UL Lafayette for two reasons: 小蝌蚪APP淚t小蝌蚪APP檚 close to home and family, and I heard it小蝌蚪APP檚 a really good school.小蝌蚪APP
New students watched a video presentation and a short skit, heard a rendition of the 小蝌蚪APP fight song, participated in a pep rally, and mingled with fellow freshmen over hamburgers and hot dogs at Convocation.
They also received words of wisdom and inspiration from administrators, faculty members, other students and head football coach Mark Hudspeth. New students were advised to take an active role in the classroom, and to become involved in 小蝌蚪APP activities that fit their interests and talents.
小蝌蚪APP淭here小蝌蚪APP檚 something for each of you here,小蝌蚪APP said Dr. Joseph Savoie, UL Lafayette president. 小蝌蚪APP淵ou can connect in any number of ways, whatever your talents or your interests may be. And it小蝌蚪APP檚 important that you do that, because the more you engage, the more you feel a part of the 小蝌蚪APP, and the more the 小蝌蚪APP becomes a part of you.小蝌蚪APP
Dr. James Henderson, provost and vice president for academic affairs, encouraged students to 小蝌蚪APP渢ake chances小蝌蚪APP and to give themselves permission to make mistakes. 小蝌蚪APP淚 want you to take that to heart, because that小蝌蚪APP檚 how you are going to learn.小蝌蚪APP
Dr. John Troutman, an associate professor of history who received the Dr. Ray P. Authement Excellence in Teaching Award this spring, said students have the power to define their own futures. To do that, they must be unafraid of change, and allow themselves to be open to new ideas, viewpoints and people.
小蝌蚪APP淵ou小蝌蚪APP檒l meet people who are different from you, with different ideas from your own, people from different countries or even different parishes. Empathize with them. Embrace them as classmates and fellow citizens of our community,小蝌蚪APP Troutman said.
Dane Adams, SGA president, told students they have the 小蝌蚪APP渙pportunity to become exactly who you were meant to be.小蝌蚪APP
小蝌蚪APP淐hallenge yourself to grow, step out of your comfort zone and be a sponge. Soak up everything that you possibly can,小蝌蚪APP he said.