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September 2008
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CAMPUS NEWS |
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Scholar-Teacher of Year Welcomes AU Community With the help of a bright sunny day, American University freshmen, returning students, faculty, and staff celebrated the new 2008 academic year at opening convocation on Friday, August 22. Vice President of Campus Life Gail Hanson welcomed new students, commending them for the volunteerism and engagement in the past week through the Freshmen Service Experience and Discover D.C. programs. “We hope that because of the people you’ve met and the things you’ve learned through these experiences that you’ve arrived at this opening ceremony comfortable in your new surroundings and looking forward to the start of classes on Monday,” said Hanson. Hanson went on to introduce Seth Cutter, president of the Student Government for the 2008-2009 academic year, who noted several important anniversaries. “Without one another, Greek Life would not be entering its 75th year, and we would not be expecting more historic runs to the NCAA tournament. And without each other, our School of Public Affairs would not be celebrating its 75th year,” said Cutter, adding a special welcome to AU’s largest freshman class on record. Following Cutter’s speech, President Neil Kerwin, SPA/BA ’71, began his charge to the audience by recalling his own opening convocation, much of which, he admitted, he could not remember. “What I do remember is being told at that convocation that I should’ve worn a tie. I won’t even bother to tell you that,” he said. From there, Kerwin spoke of the relationship between the university and the students. “We know we have a special obligation to prepare you, our students, to think widely, to think deeply, to think often about your roles in society and about the great issues that confront you in your personal lives, in your careers, in your roles as citizens,” he said. “Be serious about the work that lies ahead. You’re preparing your most important resource; your mind.” The morning concluded with the keynote address by Scholar-Teacher of the year, Daniel Dreisbach, PhD. Introduced by AU’s new provost, Scott Bass, PhD, Dreisbach spoke of the most basic elements of what makes a university and what ensures its success. Dissecting the word 'university' suggests that the emphasis is placed not on our differences, "but on that which unifies us or makes us one in our identity and mission,” said Dreisbach. “The idea of the university is premised on the notion that the acquisition of knowledge and the pursuit of scholarship are most fruitful within a community and not when we pursue these things in isolation.” Dreisbach, whose specialties include First Amendment law, American Constitutional law, and the history of church-state relations, paralleled the mission of the university with the idea of free speech. “The success of this community of scholars depends upon an ethic of free inquiry. The very idea of the university is diminished when we place certain topics or discussions off limits,” he said. “American University in this tradition has long believed that its mission is to develop in its students the capacity for self government and to train citizens for engagement in government and in public service.” In an election year, nothing could be more important. - Dan Beardslee, SOC/BA ’07
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