UI convocation welcomes freshmen to campus

Approximately 4,500 incoming freshman students, many clad in black and gold, took to the University of Iowa's Pentacrest lawn to participate in the Class of 2015 convocation ceremony on Sunday afternoon.

Freshman Convocation, a formal ceremony in which incoming classes are officially welcomed and make a symbolic pledge to uphold the expectations of the UI, was revived in the fall of 2009.

During this year's speech, UI President Sally Mason, dressed in her formal robes and a pair of black sunglasses, addressed this year's record-size class with enthusiasm.

"While [the University of Iowa ] is a big place, we [students, faculty and staff] are able to find common purpose," Mason said. "We are all a part of the Hawkeye family -- welcome, welcome."

Storm Miller, of Davenport, who was chosen to represent the Class of 2015, opened his speech on a light note, stating that although he was very nervous to speak, at least he wasn't going to make a fool of himself in front of millions like the cast of MTV's popular series, "Jersey Shore."

All joking aside, Miller spoke honestly of the excitement and fear that he, and many of his class of 2015 classmates, are currently feeling as they have moved away from home, are faced with making new friends and are preparing to head to the first day of classes tomorrow.

"When I asked why I chose to come to the University of Iowa, I couldn't seem to find one simple answer," Miller said. "But now that I'm here, I see that the future isn't waiting -- our dreams are here before us."

Following the end of the formal ceremony, students were invited to make their way made to the president's home at the corner of Clinton Street and Church streets to enjoy a "block party" cookout and dancing to celebrate the beginning of the school year.