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Randy Williams, Vice President and Associate Provost for Inclusive Excellence, speaks at New Student Convocation, held August 20, 2022, Under the Oaks at Elon University. (Rob Brown photo)
Faculty Laureate Dr. Kevin Anderson during Convocation 2021 at O'Brien Field on the campus of Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, Illinois on August 22, 2021. (Jay Grabiec)
52th Convocation DU
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PHOTO: Jamil Hossain Shuvo
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My uncle took this photo of me a couple of days ago before my convocation :)
PS: If you use the D700 (this might apply to other Nikon DSLR cameras) and you are dissatisfied with the skin tones (like I was for over a year!) change your Picture Control to Neutral and hue to minus one step (every thing else keep at zero, may be increase the sharpness a step or two). After I did this I was so happy with the skin tones I started using more of my JPEGs which means less RAW post processing!
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At the end of my studies I want to gave thanks to the following people:
1) First, I would like to thank my heavenly Father, our Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. You see, God is really great, but the amazing thing is that He expresses His greatness through love and wisdom. In 2003 when I graduated from high school I was just a lost young man in a big scary and strange world. I knew nothing about life, I knew nothing about love or women, I knew nothing about higher education...needless to say I didn’t know much about anything. But the one thing I wanted to know is God, and to see Him work in my life.
My average in grade 13 (last grade of high school) was 93% and I had taken all the courses I liked, that means: science (physics, chemistry) and math (calculus, algebra, etc). So when the teachers at my high school found out I haven’t applied to any university they were stunned! So my concerned teachers arranged for me to meet with a counsellor to talk about my future. So I went to the appointment and the counsellor talked to me about the importance of higher education and a successful career in life. I remember her finally asking why I wasn’t planning to go to university and I simply replied something like, “God has a plan for my life, but I don’t know what it is. He has a plan for my career, but I don’t know what it is. I can’t move ahead if I don’t know His will. I want to find my God-given talents so I know what to study.” I still remember the look on her face as if I was delusional, she simply raised her eyebrows and didn’t blink--she just stared at me for a couple of seconds and the appointment was over.
That same summer I prayed to God to give me a job as I had applied to few general labour positions, just any job and I remember it was a Sunday night when I cried out to Him. I was new in Canada, no job, no money, no close family members, no friends, no plans for the future (except to know God’s will for my life, to witness Him work in my life, and to obey Him), and I just wanted to find a work, any work. Monday morning I got a call to a warehouse where I worked for the next four years.
I didn’t know if I was going to work in the warehouse all my life, or if God will show me His will for my career and I will go back to finish school. I didn’t know anybody who God spoke to them in regard of something, so I was just hoping and believing that the same God who spoke in the Bible, and who said He has a plan for our lives, will speak to me and will tell me what His plan is! Anyway, I prayed daily to know God’s will and I worked there really like I was going to work there forever—I wasn’t going to budge to the left or right until I knew God’s will (I was so desperate to see Him work in my life like I read He did in the life of Joseph.) Of course, I got criticized from everyone I knew: family, relatives, classmates who were still in contact with me. People just didn’t understand.
I am telling you this because while people thought I was working at the wrong place, God knew what He was doing. You see, in my teens I loved building remote controlled cars and building mechanical devices but as I moved to Canada I forgot about my passion for mechanical things. People also didn’t help: they kept telling me to become a pharmacist like my grandfather, or a doctor, or an engineer because those professions are so esteemed in society. But I just wanted to be loved and accepted by someone for who I was; sadly, that’s almost impossible in the Middle Eastern society. To almost all Middle Easterners: you are what you do and how much money you make. So God put me in a warehouse, and people thought it was a random warehouse, but it wasn’t. My boss (a Chinese man) was an awesome manager—someone I truly enjoyed working for because he was easy going (but firm when needed), generous, and wasn’t trying to prove anything (like he had power over us or anything like that, he just did his job and we did ours). My boss noticed my love for mechanical things, and sometimes he would ask me to fix things--like a paper shredder that stopped working, or put together the new conveyor system we just purchased--and so I started to feel that old love for mechanical things. I realized how happy I was when I was working on something mechanical. And even though people wanted me to be in university at that time, studying just whatever, God had placed me in a warehouse where He knew He could use the manager to ignite in me my love for the talents He has given me.
That’s why I tell young people, “You have to give God a chance. You have to be patient. You have to obey. Don’t just rush and be restless. Rest in the Lord no matter where you are. Trust Him. Moving ahead of His timing is terrible. Disobedience is terrible. You don’t know how many people and for how long you will affect negatively by your disobedience. You don’t know how close you are to obtaining God’s best...wait, trust, and obey.”
So three years later, in 2006, I was actually ready to go back to school. Which was a miracle because God did so much work in me: He strengthened me mentally, and He matured me emotionally. I knew what I wanted to study but I wanted to hear God—I had came so far I didn’t want to rush ahead of His will now. So one morning, after opening the warehouse, I was alone in the kitchen drinking coffee and reading my In Touch daily devotional and I felt so heavy in my heart and I blurred out the words for the first time, “God, I want to become a mechanical engineer, but I need to hear from You first.” I closed my daily devotional and opened my pocket Bible and I started reading Psalm 20 and it was like He was speaking to me, I finally came across verse 4 which said, “May He give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.” I knew that He had given me the go ahead sign.
Because it was too late to start university that year I had to apply for the next year, 2007. Interestingly when I contacted the university I found out that they only accept high school transcripts that are 4 years old or less. I was stunned when I found this out because if God had waited more one year to speak to me, or if I had refused to listen to Him or disobeyed Him, then I would’ve had to repeat my high school courses again! But God, as usual, knew what He was doing and His timing is always perfect.
I want to add one more thing. When I obey God I try to avoid any distractions because I am a human, a very weak human for that matter, so I know when I obey Him I better focus on Him and let Him take care of the rest. And so I didn’t worry about my high school diploma would soon become invalid to apply to university--well because I didn’t know--but God’s timing was perfect. Like I said, let God take care of the details, your job is to obey Him. When I applied to university I followed the same strategy: I didn’t bother with anything that was irrelevant to obeying God. My job was to finish my four years of studying to become a mechanical engineer. I didn’t research if there are jobs for mechanical engineers, I didn’t research how much mechanical engineers make (I didn’t have an idea until fourth year!), I didn’t research the market trend...I didn’t do any of that, why? Because I didn’t want to put obstacles in my way of obeying God. God has given me a talent and my job was to be faithful to Him. God did not call me to become a market researcher, a wealthy man, or some other type of engineer where I could make more money!
(I am not saying researching God’s will is a sin because the Bible definitely encourages making wise decisions. But sometimes researching things gives us things to worry about, things that will weaken our faith and our resolve to obey God.)
I remember my brother-in-law (a Christian too) asking me if there were jobs for mechanical engineers in Toronto. I answered, “It doesn’t seem there is a strong market for mechanical engineers.” He said, “Why didn’t you become an electrical engineer then? They make better money and there is demand for them.” I answered, “Because God’s will for me is to become a mechanical engineer. I am not worried about finding a job. His will for me is to get an education. If He wants me to work as a mechanical engineer then He will find a job for me.” He told me, “Good for you if you believe this.” Of course, I truly believed that. I don’t believe God throws things at you all at once. Remember, the Christian life is a journey taken one step at a time: first, obey Him in this, then see Him work, then obey Him in the next step, and then see Him work again, and so on.
So I thank our Lord, Jesus Christ, for His work in my life in those 4 years and His continuing work in my life. Our heavenly Father was also the only one who never condemned me for being “just” a general labourer and forklift driver. He never belittled me, or looked down on me. He simply loved me like I needed. If it wasn’t for God’s love and His work in my life me then today I would be just a miserable person loathing myself, my life, my family and my culture, with no aim in life. But He matured me, changed me, and led me to His will because He is good, great, wise, just and loving.
2) Second, I would like to thank Dr. Charles Stanley of In Touch Ministries. It’s through his teachings of the Word of God I was able to learn about waiting upon the Lord, obedience, faith and trust. I never had a good Christian example in my life so I kind of adopted Dr. Stanley as my spiritual mentor through the In Touch magazine and radio and TV programs. Through his loving attitude, fatherly voice, honest and practical teachings I have learned the most important lessons in my life.
One day, while I was still working in the warehouse, as I was listening to Dr. Stanley he said something to the likes of, “God has give you given talents, and it’s your job to get the required skills to be to express these talents though a profession. To get those skills you probably need to get a college degree...” And since I always appreciated Dr. Stanley’s words I took his advice to heart: I determined I would go to college/university as soon as I knew God’s will! Those words lifted so much pressure off of my chest, because before I was afraid if I get a post-secondary degree then my wife will only want to marry me because of how much money I make or because of my social statues—which is a very common practice in the Middle Eastern culture. But then I started praying telling our heavenly Father that whatever He wanted me to be I will become even if it meant to become something society doesn’t esteem (like a garbage man). By the way, at my work in the warehouse I did a lot of dirty cleaning and it was often a very dirty work environment. I told our Lord that whatever I will study I will study for Him—to be faithful to my God-given talents—and not for any other reason.
So what I learned from Dr. Stanley is that I don’t have to know somebody to make a huge impact in their lives. I don’t have to be handsome, muscular, rich or smart (I am not saying Dr. Stanley is not!)—all I have to be is obedient to God to make an everlasting (spiritual) impact on people. Those people don’t have to be my family, friends, or even people I live around—they could be people I connect to through radio waves just like Dr. Stanley did with the In Touch radio program! So live a godly life, be obedient, and speak the truth (not a watered down version but the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ) with love (with love doesn’t mean you should water down the truth, but it means don’t be judgemental).
3) Third, I would like to give special thanks to my mom. No human has loved me half as much as she loves me! For all my life she served me, guided me (as best as her human wisdom knew), and provided me with everything she could to make me happy and comfortable. She is truly a super mom! If I ever become half as good a parent as she is then I will consider myself a very, very successful father! I truly don’t understand how she can love so sacrificially. Whenever I ask her what I can do for her in return she says, “Be happy—that’s my greatest reward.” Of course, I also would like to thank my mom for her continuous prayers.
Of course, my dad, my sister, and family and friends wished me good too, and prayed for me, so I want to thank them too.
4) Finally, I would like to thank Canada and the University of Toronto. Canada is truly a great country, and the University of Toronto helped me financially a lot too. I also had some wonderful professors, TAs, and classmates. So thanks everyone :)
(Toronto, ON; summer 2011.)
Mark DiOrio / Colgate University
The Class of 2021 students participate in Founders' Day Convocation dinner, Aug. 28, 2017 in Hamilton.
Freshmen students were welcomed to the University of South Alabama with a Convocation on Monday, Aug. 17. Convocation marked the beginning of a tradition to unify the freshman class and help new students be successful.
Student Government Association President Nadine Jose ’23, speaks at New Student Convocation, held August 20, 2022, Under the Oaks at Elon University. (Rob Brown photo)
Freshmen students were welcomed to the University of South Alabama with a Convocation on Monday, Aug. 17. Convocation marked the beginning of a tradition to unify the freshman class and help new students be successful.
New students walk across campus on their way to the Convocation for New Student Convocation held August 20, 2022, Under the Oaks at Elon University. (Rob Brown photo)
New student Convocation, opening of the fall semester for first year students and an introduction to the faculty and staff reception following Convocation.
Convocation 2014 marked the start of Dartmouth's 245th academic year. President Phil Hanlon ’77, Provost Carolyn Dever, and Student Assembly President Casey Dennis '15, addressed the College, and offered a special welcome to the Class of 2018 during the ceremony, held September 15 in Leede Arena. (Photo by Eli Burakian '00)
Stay connected to Dartmouth:
New Student Convocation for the Class of 2024 and Transfer Students at Springfield College on Friday, August 28, 2020.
Each year, students’ entry into the Trojan Family begins with the University of Southern California’s New Student Convocation, which features a welcome from the vice president of Student Affairs, remarks from USC president C. L. Max Nikias and greetings from the academic deans. (photo/Dietmar Quistorf)
The 12th Convocation was held on December 13, 2017 at BRAC University's Residential Campus, Khagan, Savar, Dhaka.
The 12th Convocation was held on December 13, 2017 at BRAC University's Residential Campus, Khagan, Savar, Dhaka.
On the evening before the first day of classes, Penn's newest students get a chance to participate in their first University tradition: Convocation. The University’s ceremonial welcome into the academic community is considered one bookend of a student’s life at Penn. The class will march together at Hey Day in their junior year, and will process for the final time as a class at Commencement.
Each year, students’ entry into the Trojan Family begins with the University of Southern California’s New Student Convocation, which features a welcome from the vice president of Student Affairs, remarks from USC president C. L. Max Nikias and greetings from the academic deans. (photo/Dietmar Quistorf)
Raghu Taddepalli, Interim Provost and Dean of the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business, speaks at New Student Convocation, held August 20, 2022, under the oaks at Elon University. (Rob Brown photo)
Each year, students’ entry into the Trojan Family begins with the University of Southern California’s New Student Convocation, which features a welcome from the vice president of Student Affairs, remarks from USC president C. L. Max Nikias and greetings from the academic deans.
Here, the USC Trojan Marching Band entertains the crowd.
(photo/Dietmar Quistorf)
Each year, students’ entry into the Trojan Family begins with the University of Southern California’s New Student Convocation, which features a welcome from the vice president of Student Affairs, remarks from USC president C. L. Max Nikias and greetings from the academic deans. (photo/Dietmar Quistorf)
The convocation, held during Freshman Move-In, is a formal celebration of scholarship and tradition designed to welcome the College's newest students into the York College community.
Each year, students’ entry into the Trojan Family begins with the University of Southern California’s New Student Convocation, which features a welcome from the vice president of Student Affairs, remarks from USC president C. L. Max Nikias and greetings from the academic deans. (photo/Dietmar Quistorf)
Each year, students’ entry into the Trojan Family begins with the University of Southern California’s New Student Convocation, which features a welcome from the vice president of Student Affairs, remarks from USC president C. L. Max Nikias and greetings from the academic deans. (photo/Dietmar Quistorf)