Valued legacy
Twilight Induction Ceremony welcomes University's Class of 2019
5:23 p.m., Sept. 1, 2015--The University of Delaware community welcomed its newest members, the Class of 2019, during the fourth annual Twilight Induction Ceremony held Monday, Aug. 31, on the South Green.
On a pleasant and warm end-of-summer evening, following a spirited performance by Vocal Point, Acting President Nancy Targett invited UD’s newest cohort of 4,000-plus scholars to become active participants in campus life.
Campus Stories
From graduates, faculty
Doctoral hooding
“This Twilight Induction Ceremony is one of only two times that your entire class is together in one place,” Targett said. “The next time will be Commencement, four years from now.”
In a light-hearted gesture, Targett invited members of the Class of 2019 to take a deep breath and savor the fact that they were really embarking on their college careers.
“You made your way to campus — maybe from down the road, maybe from the other side of the world,” Targett said. “And you survived move-in weekend. I helped you the other day, so I know you’ve got a lot of stuff.”
The twilight ceremony also marks the beginning of a wonderful adventure where all students join together as Blue Hens, Targett said.
“We’re here because our choices have brought us to this moment,” Targett said. “Your choices started from the first time that someone asked you, 'what do you want to be when you grow up,' to the day when you said ‘yes’ to the UD admission letter.”
Targett noted that her own choice began as a child in Pittsburgh, where she dreamed of exploring the ocean, a choice that over the course of a career led to the opportunity to serve as UD acting president.
“I for one, couldn’t be happier to be here with you tonight,” Targett said. “I hope that you feel the same way.”
Targett also urged the ceremony participants to take advantage of the many support options available to students.
“Your professors are, by far, your greatest resource at UD, both in and out of the classroom,” Targett said. “Get to know them and ask them questions and take their advice.”
Academic advisers, resident advisers and coaches also are available to help students chart their path at UD, Targett added.
"Choose to respect yourself and others," she said. "Your safety and well-being -- both on social media and in the real world -- depend on this."
Calling attention to the Wings of Thought sculpture in nearby Mentors’ Circle, Targett noted that the left page is filled with formulas and symbols representing everything previous UD scholars have learned about the world.
The right page, Targett said, is left blank for a reason, symbolically special to students about to being their academic journeys.
“That’s your page to fill. Choose to fill it with wonderful things — with deep knowledge and bold experiences and moments you can be proud of,” Targett said. “I’m confident you’ll make good choices. Indeed, you’ve already made a great one — you’ve chosen to be Blue Hens. Welcome to UD. It’s going to be awesome.”
Rebecca Jaeger, a senior Honors Program student with majors in history, biological sciences and foreign languages, and president of the UD Student Government Association, shared some experience-based advice for becoming a successful Blue Hen.
“Respect everyone, invest in some rain gear, don’t skip classes just because you can, get involved, and enjoy the beauty that surrounds you,” Jaeger said. “Look around and get to know your peers, don’t be afraid to ask for help, take advantage of every opportunity and never say no to free UDairy ice cream.”
Jaeger said that her number one piece of advice was for students to enjoy every moment during their UD sojourn.
“The next four or five years will fly by, and while it seems far away now, you will be out in the real world before you know it,” Jaeger said. “Be bold, work hard, have fun and make your UD experience one to remember.”
University Provost Domenico Grasso welcomed what he described as a “remarkable group of men and women,” urging them to enjoy the magic all around them in the classroom and around the UD campus.
“You will have one of life’s ultimate luxuries because you can decide how to spend your time here. This is an independent journey, and it is your journey,” Grasso said. “You are writing the next chapter of UD history, and Delaware will shine because of what you will do here.”
Kathy Matt, dean of the College of Health Sciences, welcomed the next generation of thought leaders on behalf of the deans of UD’s seven colleges.
“I want to encourage you to explore and to become engaged as you find your special areas of interest,” Matt said. “Get to know your fellow students, take internships and do undergraduate research. Excel and do the very best you can.”
José-Luis Riera, dean of students, introduced student speaker Juliya Pattammaddy, a junior in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Pattammaddy challenged the audience to get to know fellow students, to get passionate, creative and to try new things.
“We all hold within us our own set of dreams, whether we know how to voice them or not,” Pattammaddy said. “Dream very, very big, because you really can change the world.”
As darkness fell, faculty and staff holding lighted candles passed their lights to candles held by the newest members of the academic community.
The event concluded with welcoming remarks from Anne Giacoma Barretta, a 1983 UD graduate and president of the UD Alumni Association.
“When you leave here tonight, you will be handled a pin by a member of the Alumni Association bearing the UD seal,” Barretta said, “on behalf of the almost 170,000 UD alumni around the world who want you to know that you are students today, but you are Blue Hens forever.”
An ice cream social featuring UDairy Creamery treats and a pep really featuring UD spirit teams and student-athletes followed the Twilight Induction Ceremony.
Article by Jerry Rhodes
Video by Ashley Barnas
Photos by Kathy F. Atkinson and Evan Krape