President Mark Schlissel was quick with a compliment at Friday night’s New Student Convocation: “Class of 2020, your timing is impeccable.”
Noting their entrance coincides with the 200th year of the University of Michigan, Schlissel told the crowd of incoming freshmen that “the past and present are aligned like never before. You have arrived at U-M at a very important moment. This is your first year in college, a time to explore, to learn, to grow — to challenge the present.”
The president encouraged personal interaction with him, and invited the students to attend monthly fireside chats he hosts. He welcomed questions, ideas and even disagreements.
“Spirited debate of important issues is healthy for our democracy and essential for learning,” he said during the gathering at Crisler Center. “This is especially true of those with differing ideologies.”
Schlissel also spoke of the power of political involvement and casting a ballot in the upcoming Nov. 8 presidential election. He reminisced about the first time he voted: 40 years ago when Jimmy Carter and Gerald R. Ford faced off.
“This fall,” he said, “you can ensure that your generation is not only the best represented in the 2016 election, but also the most informed.”
Kedra Ishop, associate vice president for enrollment management, told the students they were entering a “proud tradition of excellence” shared with hundreds of thousands of students and alumni who came before them.
She noted Wolverines who have founded companies like Google and JetBlue, played in every major sport, worked as entertainers, politicians and authors.
“If this list of Michigan accomplishments seems intimidating, especially at a time when your most pressing concerns are getting to know your new roommate, finding a community or figuring out where to grab coffee on the way to your 8 o’clock, it should be,” Ishop said.
“But I hope you also feel pride in knowing that you’re now a part of this Michigan family. And I hope you feel inspired to dedicate these next four years to making your mark both on this campus and on our greater society. Each of you has the potential to do just that.”
This year, U-M received a record number of applications — more than 55,000 for the class of about 6,800 freshmen. Some notable accomplishments include:
• In terms of academics, the average high school grade-point average for this year’s class is 3.84. More than a quarter of the class achieved a perfect 4.0.
• Forty-three percent of this class had an ACT composite score between 32 and 36, while only 4 percent of students nationwide achieved that same high level.
• The Class of 2020 includes representation from every racial, ethnic, social and religious background, Ishop said. One in seven students identify as minorities that have traditionally been underrepresented in higher education, and one in seven are the first in their family to attend college.
• Incoming freshmen come from more than 2,100 different high schools and join a larger student body representing 118 countries and all 50 states.
“Michigan’s tradition is unparalleled,” Ishop said. “Our commitment to academic excellence, student engagement, entrepreneurship and innovation and diversity dates back to the early years of this 200-year-old university. These are commitments that cannot be rivaled, and our tradition continues to grow.
“Each of you sitting in this room tonight is well-positioned to achieve greatness. I challenge you today, at the beginning of this bold adventure, to reflect on the change you want to see in this world and continually take advantage of your four years at the University of Michigan to accomplish it.”
Martha Pollack, provost and professor of computer science and information, described the Class of 2020 as “a very impressive group of students.”
“Let me assure you that our admissions team is very, very good at what they do,” Pollack said. “If you’re sitting here tonight, it’s because we are confident that you have what it takes to be a successful student here — and we have a long and strong track record in selecting students.”
She also challenged students to set high expectations for themselves.
“It’s the nature of a good college education to challenge and push students, holding them to very high standards, because that’s what leads to intellectual as well as emotional growth,” she said.
She acknowledged some students already know their career path: “You want to be a doctor, or a social worker, an artist or anthropologist. On the other hand, maybe you don’t have a clue. You simply have a love of learning, which has landed you here at this terrific university.
“In either case, over these next few years … study yourself. Do that by doing what college has always existed for: expand your horizons. Do this by sampling courses on topics you don’t know much about, and by joining student organizations where you can put into practice what you’ve learned in class.”
As the convocation drew to a close, Schlissel told the Class of 2020 that he looked forward to “challenging the present and enriching the future with you.”
“What a great moment to be part of the University of Michigan community,” he said. “Thank you for bringing your talents, energy and ambition to Ann Arbor. Please remember — decisions are made by those who show up. Get out and vote in November.
“Welcome to the University of Michigan, have a great semester and Go Blue!”
