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Students seek involvement after convocation

Written by Julie Ann Sanchez, The Shorthorn staff

Friday, 24 August 2007 06:37 PM

From left, Dr. Frank Lamas, vice president of student affairs and Student Congress President Collins Watson give an introduction to student life at the MavsMeet New Student Convocation Friday at Texas Hall. The convocation was then followed by the MavsMeet After Party on the Central Library mall. (The Shorthorn: Monica Lopez)

The New Student Convocation welcomed an estimated 1,500 new and returning students, said Mardie Sorensen, assistant vice president for student affairs. The event was hosted Friday afternoon at Texas Hall as part of Maverick Stampede, a week-long event aimed to help new students transition into college life.

Speakers included Interim Provost Ron Elsenbaumer, Dr. Frank Lamas, vice president for student affairs, Student Congress President Collins Watson and Christopher Conway, modern languages associate professor. President James Spaniolo welcomed students and told them they would learn and become familiar with the traditions at the university.

“In the next few years you will discover and gain new knowledge,” Spaniolo said. Before a video played that showcased university alumni and their experiences, he remembered a quote from college.

“Some people see things that are and ask, why? Some people dream of things that never were and ask, why not?” Spaniolo said.

Conway, talked about how through art and literature people can fend off persecution and injustices in the world. With the graphic novel Maus that was chosen for this year’s OneBook program, Conway reminded the audience that understanding the tragedies of the past can help shape individual lives and families.

Using past conflicts such as right wing paramilitary takeovers in South America and the Holocaust, Conway noted that though they were terrifying times, art and literature were the catalysts that helped many to survive the hardships. Conway opened up to the audience and said his mother, Magda Hartman, was a Holocaust survivor. Her ordeal led her to write an autography of the Nazi occupation in Poland and her escape.

“The truth is, all of us bleed history,” Conway said.

After Conway’s speech, students watched a video that featured on-campus events, sports, Greek life and school spirit from the previous academic year. Business freshman Tiffany Kaminski said she enjoyed Conway’s speech because of her Polish descent.

“His speech made me think and was really influential,” Kaminski said.

Her decision to come to the university was partly because it was close to home and she would be commuting to campus.
“But I will definitely get involved with activities and organizations on campus,” she said.

English senior Lily Resendez decided to come to her first new student convocation — three years late.

“I’m kind of trying to become more involved this year,” Resendez said. “You can see that UTA is trying to evolve and change. It’s now cool to say ‘I’m proud to be a Maverick.”

Immediately after the convocation, students were directed by Lamas to begin their co-curricular activities at the MavsMeet After Party, lasting until 11 p.m. at the Central Library mall. The event featured food, free T-shirts, activities and music headlined by rock band Phantom Planet.
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Last Updated ( Friday, 21 September 2007 03:23 PM )

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