The Freshman Convocation, the pinnacle of the five-day New Student Orientation, took place… The Freshman Convocation, the pinnacle of the five-day New Student Orientation, took place at the Petersen Events Center Thursday, Aug. 23. During the hour-long event, Chancellor Mark Nordenberg, along with several other distinguished faculty members, welcomed Pitt’s newest students, giving them advice on how to succeed in their future academic careers.

John Baker, president of the University Senate, led the Academic Processional, comprised of professors from various academic departments. Following an orchestral playing of Bach’s Concerto in D Minor, University Provost Jim Maher welcomed the incoming freshmen.

“You are the future of this university,” Maher said. “As we proceed through the following years, the University’s progress will be due to you.”

After Maher addressed the freshmen, Nordenberg welcomed them to Pitt’s “blue and gold family.” He urged the class of 2011 to learn without limits.

“Wisdom begins in wonder,” Nordenberg said, invoking a Socrates proverb. “At Pitt, you will learn to wonder, and once you do that, there are no limits to what you can do.”

Dean of Students Kathy Humphrey urged the students to maintain academic discipline by reminding them of Vince Lombardi’s quote, “winning is all-the-time, not part-time.” Humphrey welcomed the class of 2011 to the Pitt community, advising them to follow the tenets of the Pitt Promise.

Following the last speech, the audience sang the alma mater with Alyssa Thatcher, from the class of 2009, to end the Freshman Convocation.

Incoming freshman Charlie Bowman believes the Convocation helped him prepare for his future at Pitt.

“The convocation, as well as the entire freshman orientation in general, has helped me get oriented and has been pretty useful for me,” he said.