2005 Student Orientation

The Graduate Center conducted its new student orientation August 25.

The day began with a reception breakfast in the Harold Proshansky Auditorium lobby, after which students filled the auditorium for a program of speakers. Following remarks by Vice President for Student Affairs Matthew G. Schoengood and Stephanie Domenici Cabonargi, a student in the doctoral psychology program and Co-Chair for Student Affairs of the Doctoral Students' Council, sociology student Mehmet Kucukozer gave the keynote address. Kucukozer encouraged new students to organize well and participate in department and university social and professional activities as they embarked upon what he called the transition "from consumers of knowledge to producers of knowledge."

President William P. Kelly, comparing students' new challenges to his own changing tasks as an incoming president, followed with stories from his own days in graduate school and an exhortation to new students to make the best of their years at The Graduate Center. "Great responsibility comes with the enormous luxury we've been afforded," he pointed out, noting that graduate academic life is a great privilege. "I look forward to delighting in your company and rejoicing in your achievements."

Acting Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Linda N. Edwards took the podium next, asking that graduates be proactive and take their professional aspirations seriously, among other advice. Stephen Brier, Associate Provost for Instructional Technology and Dean for Interdisciplinary Studies, then spoke about The Graduate Center's Interactive Technology and Pedagogy certificate program—which he noted is part of a larger effort to encourage interdisciplinary inquiry at The Graduate Center—and also encouraged new students to take advantage of lectures, concerts, seminars, and other public programs. A series of in-depth workshops on information resources, financial aid, wellness, and the Mina Rees Library completed the day-long program.

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