On behalf of the faculty, administration, staff and board of trustees…. Welcome to Oakland University.
I want you to take a moment to look around, and remember this moment because today, your journey begins.
We, at Oakland University, feel so fortunate that you have chosen to be here and to join our community.
We welcome you with open arms, open hearts, and a promise: We are here for you.
Not just today, but tomorrow…and, every day until graduation…and beyond.
You are such a special class.
Not only have you committed to continuing your formal education, you have persevered a-year-and-a- half of living amid the many challenges of the pandemic.
And you have survived.
You’ve thrived.
Believe me, your perseverance will pay off because of what lies ahead of you on your college adventure.
Your journey at Oakland will be exciting and challenging, frustrating and, at times anxiety-filled.
It will be rewarding, inspiring. . . and one of the most important experiences of your life.
Reaching your potential and discovering your path isn’t a journey you take alone.
You’ll need the support of family and friends.
You’ll need supportive colleagues.
You’ll need mentors.
You’ll need challenging experiences that push you beyond where you think you can go.
And, you’ll need time to regroup, reflect, learn and grow.
At the end of the day, it’s not necessarily the challenge that defines the person, but the character of the person that defines the challenge.
As someone who has been in higher education for a long time, I am often asked for what is the best advice for new undergraduate students. Here’s what I’ve come up with:
Believe in yourself.
Be a good listener, which translates into being a good friend.
Ask questions. Be curious.
Know that you are not alone.
Don’t be afraid to try, and don’t be afraid to fail.
Embrace change.
And, remember to believe in yourself.
Your success is our success.
And, each of us at OU makes it our mission for you to succeed.
Welcome to Oakland University….
We are so proud and appreciative that you have chosen us as the place where you begin your journey.
