By Emmanuel Freeman
NASHVILLE, TN (TSU News Service) — Tennessee State University Friday welcomed first-year students during the 2018 freshman convocation.
More than 1,300 incoming freshman students were inducted during the ceremony in Kean Hall.
“I am extremely proud to welcome you to Tennessee State University,” said President Glenda Glover. “It is my honor to stand before the Class of 2022 today, not only as your president, but as a fellow TSU Tiger. You have embarked on an incredible journey. I encourage you to do your best. Do not just strive to make an A, but strive to be an A.”
Porsha Hernandez, an economics and finance major from Nashville, said the induction ceremony made her feel at home.
“I have always been a very serious student and I plan to continue that here,” she said.
Dr. John Cade, vice president for Enrollment and Student Success, presented the students for the induction.
“Madam President, it is my pleasure to present these young people who have satisfied all the requirements for admission to Tennessee State University as freshmen and students with advance standing,” Cade said.
With each student holding a lighted candle symbolizing “knowledge and truth,” they took the TSU Freshman Pledge, administered by the interim Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Alisa Mosley.
Females were dressed in white and males in white shirts and blue pants, sporting TSU-supplied blue ties. They pledged to commit themselves “to serious intellectual and cultural efforts” and to deport themselves “with honor and dignity to become better prepared to live a full and useful life in society.”
Trinity Young, a math major from Indianapolis, said he took the pledge very seriously.
“I am committed to being a very good student in all areas for as long as I am here,” Young said.
In addition to student representatives, speakers at the convocation included Joni McReynolds, president of the TSU National Alumni Association.