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UA President Robert N. Shelton was among the administrators, faculty and staff to welcome the incoming freshman class Sunday night during Freshman Convocation.

By University Communications
August 24, 2008

University of Arizona President Robert N. Shelton and Executive Vice President and Provost Meredith Hay were among those to formally welcome the incoming class of freshmen Sunday night in a ceremony that is part of UA tradition.

UA administrators, faculty, staff and returning students hosted the new students during the Freshman Convocation, an annual ceremony held on campus.

Hay encouraged the incoming class to search across the University to find the "tools" that would enable them to be active, engaged and socially conscious members not only of the UA, but the greater community.

"You are a member of a privileged minority," Hay told the group, explaining that a sizable number of the nation's population do not have a chance at a higher education. Because of that truth, the students, she said, "have an obligation to help others."

The event, held at the UA's Centennial Hall, drew thousands of incoming freshmen.

Based on preliminary figures, the UA is expecting a record freshman class of about 6,700 students.

The UA received about 1,500 more applications than in the previous year, with increases among both the freshmen and transfer student populations. And the University expects that the student population will be more diverse overall than previously before.

Part of the reason why more students are coming to the UA or are taking an interest in the University is because of what the institution has to offer, Shelton said.

In his address to several thousand students on the eve of the start of the academic year, Shelton gave the students a broad introduction to the University, stated some of its greatest achievements and spoke about how the UA offers “an educational experience that starts in the classroom, but doesn’t end there.”

He mentioned the psychology department’s strides toward preventing Alzheimer’s disease and talked about how in the humanities, UA students and faculty are advancing ways that foreign languages are taught. He also mentioned the Phoenix Mars Misson, which the UA is leading.

He referenced the University’s lifetime achievement award from the Peace Corps, an honor that came because the UA produces among the highest number of Peace Corps volunteers.

Shelton also spoke about the medical advances ushered in by the UA and how the Eller College of Management is involving its students in innovative work, “like transforming a type of blood test into a market-ready tool to fight multiple sclerosis.”

And he talked about how students are very much part of those efforts.

“At every turn, UA students – undergraduates, graduate students and professional students – are part of that incredible process of discovery,” he said.

He added: “So, you can imagine with justifiable pride, the UA calls itself a student-centered research university. This isn’t an empty slogan. It’s phrase that defines our culture. At the UA, we always see the student at the center of our work.”

Shelton also relayed to the group his experience with higher education.

He spoke about how he was the first in his family to attend college and talked about how he and his wife, Adrian Shelton, raised their three children with a value in education in mind. The Sheltons put each of their students through college and their daughter is currently in medical school.

As a result, "we can appreciate what it’s like getting students oriented to student life – and in paying tuition,” he said.

In closing, Shelton urged the new Wildcats to think of the world far into the future and, during that time, to imagine the ways they will mold it.

“You may not be navigating a camera on Mars,” Shelton said, “but you will be doing a good job of preparing yourself for the world you will inherit, with all of its problems and all of its promises.”

At the end of the ceremony, Wilbur and Wilma Wildcat performed a skit about college life and joined the UA Pep Band and Cheer Team in a high energy display of UA pride along with a chant of the UA's fight song, "Bear Down, Arizona!"

Tommy Bruce, president of the Associated Students of The University of Arizona, told the students, "This is the time of your life when you are going to grow and become the person you will be for the rest of your life."

He said the UA has a host of resources and a great community of faculty, staff and fellow students who will be present to help them to succeed at the University.

"You are not just a Wildcat today," Bruce said, "and not just tomorrow or only for the next four years. But you are a Wildcat for life."