Parents across the United States are calling doctor’s offices.
President Robert Henry urged the class of 2015 to call their parents and assure them they are ok.
“If your parents notice a change in your voice, tell them it’s because you’ve matriculated,” Oklahoma City University‘s president told the 350 incoming students.
Parents unfamiliar with the term may be concerned that their child has contracted some terrible ailment, probably from a dorm or fraternity house.
Have no fear, parents! Your children have participated in my favorite tradition of the academic year.
Matriculation is the welcoming of students into the academy. At OCU, my employer and my undergraduate alma mater, Matriculation is about welcoming new students into the university family.
Toward the end of the ceremony, which in OCU tradition is packed with musical performances and prayers, the president says:
“By the authority vested in me as president of Oklahoma City University, I declare the class of 2015 to be matriculated and received into the community, which is our university; and I declare the academic year of 2011-12 to have begun.”
This is the part of the annual ritual when I recognize the magnitude of our task. It’s as if summer floats out of our bodies and through the air of the campus performing arts center. It is replaced by a sense of duty and responsibility.
It’s time for us to embark together in the education and upbringing of the class of 2015. Each member of the faculty who comes in contact with these students for the next four years will play a role in the course of the remainder of their lives.
It’s an awesome challenge and one I’m excited to embrace.
To the class of 2015, may each day forward dawn with a love of learning and a greater understanding of your world.
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