Returning students and faculty welcomed a new class of Lakers at Grand Valley State University’s convocation on Friday.

Held in the Fieldhouse Arena, freshmen attended the event as one of their Transistions activities.

The university’s 50th anniversary was an ongoing theme as Provost Gayle Davis welcomed the audience and Kristine Mullendore, chair of the University Academic Senate, as well as Jarrett Martus, president of Student Senate, spoke before President Thomas Haas took the stage to add his own words of encouragement about the upcoming academic year.

“We are celebrating this morning,” Haas said. He read a letter from Gov. Jennifer Granholm congratulating GVSU on reaching its 50-year milestone.

Haas started with a short history of GVSU before elaborating on the opportunities available to all GVSU students and referenced how the university has grown throughout its existence.

Several new buildings on campus, a continually growing student body and the emphasis on a liberal education were some of the numerous GVSU advantages Haas pointed out.

He continued to quote Helen Keller throughout the address, saying, “‘Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.’”

Freshmen were warned about the hard work and dedication required to succeed at GVSU, though Haas also advised them to remember to have fun.

“We are honored here at GVSU that you have chosen us,” he said. “There’s no doubt this will be a grand year.”

Another part of the ceremony included writing professor Patricia Clark reading her poem “Five kinds of celebration,” which she wrote for the occasion.

Freshman Jessica Ferrigan, a business major, said she enjoyed Haas’ welcoming comments and liked getting to see all the faculty as part of the ceremony.

Ferrigan said she was drawn to GVSU after her older sister enrolled, and she said the environment has been welcoming during her first week on campus.

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