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The William Paterson University Class of 2028, more than 1,000 students strong, was greeted by a cheering gauntlet of faculty and staff as Welcome Day kicked off on campus on Tuesday, August 27.
The newest Pioneers processed from the Machuga Student Center through the center of the main campus to Shea Center, where they were greeted by hundreds of faculty and staff who assembled to welcome them to the University. The students then continued into Shea Center for New Student Convocation, where they were officially welcomed to the campus community by University President Richard J. Helldobler.
“I hope this is the beginning of an exciting, curiosity-filled, intellectually stimulating, and fun journey as a member of the Pioneer community,” said President Helldobler. “Everyone on this stage and around campus wants to see each and every one of you use your time with us here on campus to get a high-quality education that will prepare you for a successful career and a rewarding life. Equally important, I want you all to have the kind of experiences that shows you the value in balancing your work lives—both as college students and alumni—with fun, as well as with meaningful activities like volunteerism and activism, through which you will help make our world a better place.”
Noting that at William Paterson “we call ourselves a ‘powerhouse of progress,’” President Helldobler encouraged the new students to think about what they want to achieve as they earn their degrees. “Consider what new skills you want to develop, what kinds of social, athletic, or artistic activities you want to pursue, as well as what kind of career you will launch with that new degree. As you do so, practice avoiding the ‘I want to’ mindset, and choose instead to think in terms of ‘I will.’ I will graduate! I will get that prized internship! I will launch a career in my chosen field! And, I promise, we will help you do it!”
Alumna Audrey McDowell ’91, a member of the University’s Board of Trustees, also spoke to the students. “As someone who was once in your shoes, I know how exciting this first day of college is, as you consider all the wonderful possibilities of what lies ahead for you academically and socially in the months and years ahead,” she said. “I also know that all those endless possibilities can sometimes feel a little overwhelming, and I want to assure you that it’s completely natural. No one expects you to arrive with all the answers, because that’s why you’re here – to figure it out. And you will have lots of people to help you along the way.”
Other speakers welcoming the students to campus were Joshua Powers, provost and senior vice president for academic affairs; Wendy Christensen, associate professor of psychology and chair of the Faculty Senate; Djanna Hill, associate dean of the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, and Jason Peralta, a student representative to the Board of Trustees.
Following a Will. Power. chant and the University’s spirit song, the students were celebrated with a blizzard of confetti. They then headed to the University’s newest landmark, the WP spirit rock sculpture on Speert Green. The students planted Class of 2028 flags on the lawn to stake their claim as members of this academic community, and as symbols of their hopes and dreams as new college students.
The students also attended their first Will. Power.101 classes, which introduce them to campus life, and enjoyed a barbecue lunch and activities on Zanfino Plaza including a comedian, a hypnotist, and lawn games.
