NDSU President Dean L. Bresciani and student body president Spencer Moir formally greeted the incoming class during the annual Presidents’ Welcome, held Aug. 22. The Gold Start Marching Band played as Bresciani and Moir led students through the university gates to a ceremony at the steps of Putnam Hall.
“Welcome to NDSU. You are in for a life-changing experience,” Bresciani told the 1,500 people in attendance.
Bresciani described NDSU as the university of choice for North Dakota high school graduates, and he suggested a few possible reasons. NDSU researchers work to feed the world and cure cancer. NDSU is a leader in the health care education in the region and at the forefront of innovative engineering of unmanned aerial systems and robotics. In addition, he cited the quality of life brought to the region by NDSU fine arts and humanities.
“Welcome to NDSU, class of 2020. You are about to start making history,” Bresciani said.
“What is the best part of NDSU?” Moir, an industrial engineering major from Rochester, Minnesota, asked. “Is it the world-class research that we have here? Is it our five-time national champion football team? Is it the vibrant city of Fargo? My favorite part is the community we share here and you get to be a part of that.”
Incoming freshman Zoe Leuthner addressed the crowd as the representative of her class. She said coming to NDSU was the right choice.
“NDSU has all the opportunities and resources we could ever need, without any of us feeling like a number,” said the biochemistry and molecular biology major from St. Louis Park, Minnesota. “NDSU students have been trailblazers and innovators for decades, and we have the privilege of being among them.”
The students received a graduation tassel, symbolic of an academic pledge to strive to complete bachelor’s degree requirements in four years. Provost Beth Ingram asked the students to keep the tassels on their desks as a reminder of that promise.
“You represent our aspirations to engage the brightest minds in the pursuit of learning and discovery,” said Ingram. “We will challenge you, support you and take pride in your accomplishments. We ask that you pledge to strive for academic achievement, seek help when you need it and that you contribute to the legacy of those who have come before you.”
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