NSU welcomed its new undergraduate students at the 2013 Undergraduate Convocation Ceremony on Aug. 22 in the Arena at the Don Taft University Center.
About 1,000 students, parents, faculty and staff attended to learn about the Farquhar College of Arts and Science’s 2013-2014 academic theme “Good and Evil” and to listen to keynote speaker Wes Moore. President George Hanbury and Don Rosenblum, dean of the Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences, hosted the annual ceremony.
Pradeep Vanguri, associate professor in the Division of Math, Science, and Technology, was recently awarded the 2013 Full-Time Faculty Excellence in Teaching Award. During the ceremony, he gave advice to students on making the most of their first year of college.
Vanguri advised students to, “Meet new people, get involved, read, listen, and don’t be afraid to share your opinions. These are five direct strategies for success.”
Moore,a former army officer, youth advocate and business leader, is the best-selling author of his memoir “The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates.”
In line with the academic theme, the book tells the story of Moore’s life in Baltimore, and his suprising discovery of another young man, also from his hometown, named Wes Moore. But despite these similarities, the author finds that their lives have gone in opposite directions – one is successful student, and the other a criminal.
“The book is about two men with the same name and in the same circumstances who make different choices,” said Kathleen Waites, professor of humanities in the Farquhar College. “Their choices lead to different lives — one of good and one of evil.”
In his keynote address, Moore congratulated new students on their acceptance to NSU, and encouraged them to think about citizenship and to see beyond the struggle of selecting a career path.
“There are so many people who are walking the line of greatness and don’t even know it,” said Moore. “Your destiny is going to be felt in the outside world, as well, and that’s why you’re here.”
Students in the First-Year Reading Program observed a question and answer season between Moore and Marlisa Santos, director of the Division of Humanities at the Farquhar College, for an open discussion. Particiapting students were also given complimentary copies of Moore’s book after the ceremony.
“[The book] is about more than just two kids or one generation. It’s about everyone and the decisions we make everyday,” said Moore.
The “Good and Evil” academic theme will be discussed throughout Author Wes Moore was welcomed as one of this year’s Distinguished Speakers, part of the Farquhar College’s series that brings leaders and experts to speak to the NSU community. Convocation welcomes new students the semester in the Faculty Lecture Series. These free events, open to the NSU community and the public, draw from the expertise of more than 140 full-time Farquhar faculty members. Each hour-long discussion takes place in the Second Floor Gallery of the Alvin Sherman Library.
The first in this year’s series is a talk by Eileen Smith-Cavros, associate professor of social behavior sciences. Titled “Laguna Manati”, she will discuss the possibility of “good” arising from “bad” environmental changes on Sept. 19 from 5 to 6 p.m. For a complete schedule of events and more information on the Faculty Lecture Series, visit fcas.nova.edu/faculty/publications
