The start of a new college semester means many things: paperwork, book buying, dorm/apartment searching, class scheduling, and much, much more. It is also, however, a time of some celebration, a time to be proud of your choice of university, and a time to get excited about what opportunities await you. This is the experience that I had as I arrived to Temple University for the first time as an incoming transfer student, and it all came to a culmination on August 19th at Convocation. This event took place over several hours beginning that morning, and saw students gathering at locations across campus based on which college/major you belonged to. For myself, as a Klein Media and Communications student, that meant meeting at Mitten Hall on Broad Street.
Like most students who arrive new to a college campus, I was both anxious about the event and amazed at the scenery on campus and how the day was put together. We heard from speakers like Dr. Scott Gratson and Dr. Maggie Lewis, and had the opportunity to mingle with other students and faculty members in an effort to get acquainted with who we’d be working closely with very soon.
Following this, we joined the University as a whole for a school-wide march to the Liacouras Center for the main Convocation festivities. Packed with school spirit, the Center was quickly swarming with upcoming Temple students for the Fall 2022 semester, and I began to feel far more confident about my choice of university. We also heard from Temple’s newest President, Dr. Jason Wingard, who made note that the diversity among Temple’s student body has never been higher, and he offered words of wisdom for success as the academic semester officially kicked off.
As a prospective or new Temple student, you too will be able to experience Convocation and I highly recommend that you do so. It not only gives you an opportunity to meet those who want to help your academic success, but also instills, I believe, a great sense of pride in your choice of school. It will be the start of something brand new, so seize the opportunity, don’t let fear hold you back, and have your first true experience as a Temple Owl!
-Sebastian (Connor) McHugh
