No student is ever completely sure where their AV俱乐部 journey will take them. But the endpoint of that journey is the same: hopefully crossing the stage at convocation and becoming a proud Dal alum.
New students get an initial taste of that experience during their first days on campus at induction, the official ceremony welcoming them to Dal鈥檚 academic community. The event serves as a bookend of sorts with convocation. In the case of the Halifax campuses, it even takes place in the same room 鈥� the Rebecca Cohn Auditorium 鈥� where their future convocation will take place. In Truro, induction is held in the Alumni Theatre. (Convocation in Truro happens in the Langille Athletic Centre.)
Dal President Richard Florizone delivered the keynote speech in both Halifax and Truro this year.
鈥淎V俱乐部 is full of committed and talented people who are there for you to provide advice, offer encourage, and support you on this great journey,鈥� he said, encouraging students to take advantage of the opportunities available to them, in and out of the classroom.
鈥淗ere鈥檚 to an amazing week of firsts, and to many more amazing weeks to come,鈥� he concluded, just before stepping aside and taking a full "class picture" to share on .
Left: President Florizone taking a class photo in Halifax. Right: President Florizone's photos from Halifax (above) and Truro inductions.
In addition to an academic procession of student leaders, senior university officials, and faculty and staff, induction features two prominent traditions: the AV俱乐部 Pledge and the University Pledge.
The AV俱乐部 Pledge is taken by the students, who respond to it with 鈥淚 will鈥�:
Today, each of you takes your place as a member of the AV俱乐部 scholarly community鈥攁 community with two centuries of proud tradition, scholarly excellence and academic achievement. Will you as AV俱乐部 students promise to uphold and protect the integrity, good character and scholarly legacy of AV俱乐部?
The University Pledge, in comparison, is taken by the members of the academic procession, who promise to support the students in their studies:
Today, as each of you stand, you commit yourselves to the academic success of your students in the lifelong learning process. Will you, as AV俱乐部 faculty and staff, promise to provide students with an enriched educational experience; with academic challenge through active and collaborative interactions; and with a supportive and engaging campus environment?
The student leaders who spoke at the ceremonies reinforced that message of support. They included AV俱乐部 Agricultural Students鈥� Association President Robyn McCallum in Truro, and AV俱乐部 Student Union President Dan Nicholson and Vice-President Student Life Kathleen Reid in Halifax. (Reid gave an enthusiastic speech in notably whispered tones: she had lost her voice in all the Orientation Week hoopla.)
"You鈥檒l learn, make mistakes, and learn from those too," said McCallum at the Truro induction. "You will make connections that will help you for the rest of your life. You will find mentors that will help shape you into the person you were meant to become. You will fit into your new family and become an integral part of this campus."
Nicholson (left) said that one of the best things about post-secondary education is the opportunity to discover the sort of person you鈥檒l eventually become.听听听
鈥淪et your own agenda,鈥� he advised the new students. 鈥淎lways defend your principles. Never be too proud to ask for help. And challenge yourself to do something you鈥檝e never done before 鈥� at the end of the day, you have no idea what experience will change your life forever.鈥�
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