President Hall meets and greets students on Quad
As part of Utah State University’s Week of Welcome, President Kermit L. Hall and other USU administrators welcomed new and returning students to the university with a presentation on the Quad on Monday, Aug. 25, 2003.
Hall introduced the theme for the school year, which is simply ‘Think’.
“What we want each of you to do is ‘Think’ about Utah State,” he said.
Hall recognized the freshman class as the best USU has had, with an average GPA of 3.6 and an average age of 18.
USU now has students attending from 28 of the 29 counties in Utah, Hall said. Piute County is the only place not represented. He also recognized 44 states and 80 countries that help make up the student body at USU.
Hall kept the mood light by making jokes throughout most of his speech about roommates and attitude differences between class levels.
“I like that he tried to keep us interested and he didn’t just go on and on about statistics about the school,” said Brian Mortenson, a freshman in aviation technology.
Hall offered two insights to the students. First, he urged them to succeed academically.
“You have no more important mission, you have no more important opportunity, both for yourselves as well as this institution, than to make academics first and to make your education a real success,” he said.
To issue his second insight, Hall had the students pledge to make the last line they stand in at USU the line for graduation.
Hall ended his speech by joining the crowd in shouting, “Go Aggies!”
Some students expected more from Hall’s speech.
“There was a serious lack of energy,” said Andra Orton, a freshman majoring in English.
Shannon Whipple, a junior in history education, said, “I figured he’d lay out some goals, or what he’d like to see happen this year at the university. Instead he just told jokes and it was kind of like, ‘Why did I come?'”
When Hall finished his remarks, Provost Stan Albrecht introduced the deans of the colleges. Associated Students of USU President Duke Di Stephano also recognized the work of all of the ASUSU officers.
The Aggie Marching Band, Aggiettes and cheerleaders then led the crowd in the school song.
Garrett Wheeler, a graduate student in space systems engineering, felt it was about time USU did something like this.
“It was very nice that he would take the time out to welcome all of the students out,” he said. “At other schools they do that a lot and I’m glad they finally did that here.”
About 1,000 students attended the event.
Di Stephano said, “It shows students really care about what happens and they are interested in the interaction with the administration.”
Hall announced that USU is planning on making the activity an annual event.
Joyce Kinkead, vice provost of Undergraduate Studies and Research, said, “Utah State really wanted to welcome and honor this new class of freshmen and also transfer students and to let them know we are really happy they chose to enroll in Utah State.”
Another reason for the event was to help students get acquainted with administration.
“Have them meet key people and show that the administration is concerned,” said Tiffany Evans, director of Student Activities.
Hall said one of his goals for the event was to make students feel included.
“An important part of what we are trying to do is help the students feel a part of a bigger enterprise,” he said.
USU is planning to have the deans work with students more closely than they have in the past and involve the students in major decisions in order to help them feel a part of USU, Hall said.
Following the presentation, ASUSU officers served free food to the students.