By Aamena Ahmed
After reciting the university motto, more than 51 freshman at Northwestern University in Qatar were formally recognized in the school’s first convocation ceremony Sunday afternoon at the Qatar National Convention Center.
“The Class of 2017 is our biggest freshman class,” said Everette E. Dennis, Dean and CEO of NU-Q, while addressing the audience. “They are smart, accomplished and enthusiastic.”
After a week-long orientation agenda, NU-Q kicked off the new school year and start of classes with the convocation. The ceremony laid out expectations for the freshman class and also helped set goals for the upcoming school year. It also recognized faculty members and students on the Dean’s list for the last semester, Spring 2013.
“I think it was important that the NU-Q community was able to be together at the beginning of the academic year to celebrate the new class,” said Emily Wilson, the event’s coordinator and planner.”I always enjoy planning a big event and this one was very special to me.”
The Class of 2017 – with 27 in communications and 21 in journalism- represents 16 nations spread across four continents.
“We’ve been really warmly welcomed,” said Rumana Shaikh, a journalism freshman at NU-Q who aims to be on the dean’s list. “And we already feel that connection to the NU-Q community.”
During the inaugural ceremony, NU-Q’s Student Union President, Yara Darwish, encouraged students to step out of their comfort zones and try out new things.
“Cross register and take a cool class at a partner university in Education City,” Darwish said during her speech. “Sign up for a trip. Set academic goals. Life is what you make IT, so let’s all make the most of our time at NU-Q.”
During the convocation, Dennis also spoke about the growth of media in Qatar and NU-Q’s role in this landmark change. The rise of such media industries is evident in Qatar “from satellite television and traditional news and entertainment media to the latest digital start-up,” Dennis said.
“You are all part of a new media revolution that is happening in the region,” Darwish also told the freshman class.
But at the heart of the convocation ceremony was the message that the student body is what marks NU-Q as a recognized institution and a center of learning.
“NU-Q is blessed by a student body known for its intelligence, professionalism and great spirit,” Dennis said. “They are not passive players in this drama, but leaders and institution builders along with the faculty and staff.”
