President Mark A. Murray welcomed students to the new academic year and urged them to study abroad and cross cultural and academic boundaries. Studying abroad, he said, will build skills needed in a global economy.
Crossing national boundaries, he said, "will be of critical urgency as you will be collaborating on a global scale with someone from another country."
He urged students to take advantage of the many intercultural activities offered at Grand Valley and to cross into other academic disciplines.
"Keep your ear open to what else may be of interest to you. When you broaden your skills ... this will help you build yourself as a change agent," Murray said.
As new chair of the Faculty Senate, Rob Franciosi also had similar words of advice for students. He told the audience about an advanced placement English class he took in high school.
"That's why I'm here today. It's Hamlet's fault," Franciosi, professor of English, said. "It was the first time I listened to the words and thought about what they meant."
He advised students to embrace a liberal education and "open yourselves us to whatever comes your way."
Teresa Castelao-Lawless, associate professor of philosophy, received the Distinguished Contribution in a Discipline Award. Jolanda Westerhof-Shultz associate professor of education, was named recipient of the Outstanding Teacher Award.
The program also featured a convocation video that can be viewed online at the link above.
