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August 21, 2015

At Chancellor’s Assembly, Class of 2019 arrives

TCU’s newest students take the Light of Knowledge

Students in the Class of 2019 hold up glowsticks to represent the Light of Knowledge at Chancellor's Assembly at Among G. Carter Stadium last night. (Photo by Glen E. Ellman)

August 21, 2015

At Chancellor’s Assembly, Class of 2019 arrives

TCU’s newest students take the Light of Knowledge

“Class of 2019, activate your glowsticks.”

With those words, more than 2,000 purple-hued batons alighted the east side of Amon G. Carter Stadium.

Chancellor Victor J. Boschini, Jr. welcomed TCU’s new students into the university community and invited them to accept the symbolic Light of Knowledge from faculty and staff during Chancellor’s Assembly in September. (The annual tradition was held in the football stadium for a second year while Ed & Rae Schollmaier Arena is under construction.)

New this time was the Light of Knowledge itself. TCU Student Development Services selected glowsticks to replace candles after windy conditions in 2014 forced students to use their cell phone lights in a 21st century moment.

Provost Nowell Donovan urged students to join the campus community in upholding the shared values of respect, inclusiveness and the pursuit of wisdom. “As a Horned Frog, you dedicate yourself to maintaining the highest forms of fairness, open-mindedness, truthfulness and fellowship.”

 

In return, Donovan said the university promised to nurture a safe and diverse environment that is dedicated to a free exchange of ideas, the discovery and dissemination of knowledge, and the encouragement of creative and scholarly distinction. “By committing to these ideals, you truly become part of our campus community, and we promise to hold you to this commitment,” he said.

Boschini charged the new students to take ownership of their college experience. “Early in your time here at TCU, meet someone different from you, ask questions, join conversations you might not have otherwise done in high school, get to know one another, be curious about one another’s stories.

“Celebrate the similarities and differences that bind all of you,” the chancellor said. “Take the initiative to meet your professors and staff. They really care about you inside and outside of the classroom.”

Boschini expects the Class of 2019 to make TCU better. “This is your community too. You’ll change this place. It’s your duty as 18-year-olds to rebel and right the wrongs and be for social justice,” he said. “You’ll do that here on campus. I encourage each of you to reach higher, dream bigger, take it upon yourself to explore and push your limits.”

 

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