The UI welcomed the Class of 2020 with its annual convocation.
By Madeleine Neal and Alyssa Simpson
With approximately 5,700 new students, the UI Class of 2020 is more than 400 students larger than the UI Class of 2019.
Among those 5,700 students is freshman Spencer Franke, a music and cinema major from Wood Dale, Illinois. He was selected to address the UI Class of 2020 at the convocation ceremony, which took place Sunday on the Pentacrest.
Sarah Hansen, the UI associate vice president for Student Life, who took part in the selection process, said Franke
proved to have exceptional communication skills.
“Spencer’s audition showed he had a core message that the Class of 2020 will relate to — he’s a very good communicator,” Hansen wrote in an email to The Daily Iowan. “I think everyone will enjoy his remarks.”
Franke’s address to his classmates surrounded two honest words: “I’m scared.”
In his speech, Franke told his peers, “[Don’t] let your fears let you decide how you live your life.” He noted that fear could cause classmates to “miss out on something great.”
His relatability was part of the reason Hansen selected him to deliver the convocation speech.
“I think Spencer’s key message that everyone is scared during transitions like this is also important — seize the opportunities available and know you aren’t the only one transitioning,” Hansen said in the email.
Franke’s take on the transition to college was not the only dose of wisdom granted to the incoming freshman class.
Tom Rocklin, UI vice president for Student Life, reassured students about their place on campus.
“You belong here,” he said. “We admitted you because we know you can succeed — I have nothing but confidence in you.”
Other speakers included UI Provost Barry Butler, UI Associate Provost Lon Moeller, and UI President Bruce Harreld. In addition to staff speakers, there were approximately 30 staff members on stage.
Harreld encouraged students to explore the campus’s hundreds of clubs, check out new art facilities, and introduce themselves to other members of the student body.
The President’s Block Party immediately followed convocation. The party featured student organizations such as Dance Marathon and offered free dinners.
Before students left for the block party, they were instructed to open the tightly sealed envelopes given to them at the entrance. As the envelopes tore, gold graduation tassels were revealed. The tassels were a symbol of the students’ commitment to their education at the UI.
“We believe in creating leaders who make a difference in the world,” Harreld said.
Convocation was the conclusion to On Iowa, a week of welcome festivities for new UI students.
“The goal of On Iowa is to integrate first year students with each other and the campus,” On Iowa leader Meagan Woodard said.
She said the purpose of the event is to get students used to the buildings and walking around campus.
Woodard said the event is also to get the “family vibe and school spirit going,” noting that the event is not only beneficial to first-year students, it also helps students become “really good friends.”
On Iowa began with the first Class of 2020 picture at Kickoff at Kinnick Stadium and wrapped up with the President’s Block Party.
Other major events includes Excel and Choose Sessions, in which students got to experience what a lecture is like while also learning about good study habits and how to intervene in potentially dangerous situations.
The Madness on Madison Street event featured a performance by The Throwback Time Machine. It provided a video dance party featuring various music videos from the 1980s-2000s.
“I thought it was really fun,” said UI freshman Kate Chartier, one of many who attended the Throwback Time Machine’s performance. “A lot more energetic than I thought a school function would be.”
Chartier admitted to feeling hesitant about walking around campus, but she feels better about it thanks to On Iowa.
“On Iowa makes me feel more comfortable on campus,” she said.
A new event to On Iowa was a Lip Sync Battle in the Campus Recreation & Wellness Center. Seven contestants took the stage trying to win over the crowd.
The winner was based on how loud the crowd cheered. The first ever On Iowa Lip Sync Battle Champion title went to freshman Isaac Perrilles.
Dressed in white tights and a cut-off shirt and wearing red lipstick, Perrilles won over the crowd with his cover of “Fergalicious” by Fergie.
“I did pretty good, and it was fun,” he said. “I’m very surprised. It’s something I wouldn’t have done before.”
On Iowa 2016 ended with convocation on the Pentacrest and a barbecue at the President’s Residence.