Honors Convocation Marks Start of New Year

By: Ashley Martinez

On building to the Marshall Center, treated like royalty as they were welcomed by the chant of trumpeters as they walked through the doors. Ascending the stairs September 4, a flock of nearly 350 Honors students strolled from the Administration and making their way to Room 2703 for the Honors Convocation, an inauguration of sorts for the entering Honors class. On stage were the Honors College faculty, wearing full robes that resembled outfits from Harry Potter.

Dean Silverman took the podium and congratulated the entering Honors students, taking note of the great achievement of USF having the largest Honors College in the state. Dr. Naomi Yavneh followed, emphasizing the approximately $380 million of research funds raised at USF. Yavneh encouraged the class to take advantage of such plentiful resources, emphasizing that research is not necessarily black and white, yet assumes the vibrant pastels of creativity. Finding a place for everyone is possible, whether that place would be be studying Dance, French Studies or stem cell research.

Dr. Kleine prevented any possibility of wavering attention by declaring the “elitist” motto: “We breed better Bulls.” Dr. Kliene further supported the statements by encouraging the students to separate themselves from the rest of the USF population by becoming less conformist, attending more events, receiving more scholarships, networking far more, and achieving more than the rest; overall, to break away from the herd.

“Only dead fish go with the bull, a better bull is a fish that makes waves,” Kleine said.

Following Kleine was Scholarship Advisor Linda Lucas, alerting the fresh mass of Honors Students of the several scholarships available to them. Next up was Honors Advisor Reginald Lucien, encouraging others of the great Honors courses with the perks of the possibility of traveling abroad. The assembly concluded with the students being awarded the first half of their graduation medallions, their sash, a symbol of inspiration to graduate with their Honors in the future.

Pictures from top: Honors students climb the stairs to attend convocation./Students face each other to participate in the ceremonial exchange of sashes. Pictures by Ashley Martinez.