Alaska Pacific University
  • Academics
  • Admissions & Costs
  • Student Life & Activities
  • About APU
  • Virtual Campus Tour
  • DONATE
  • Request Info
  • Apply
  • 1 (800) 252 7528
  • myAPU
  • Directory
  • Library
  • Courses
  • Catalog
  • Blackboard
  • (907) 564-8362
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • myAPU
  • Directory
  • Library
  • Courses
  • Catalog
  • Blackboard
  • (907) 564-8362
  • DONATE
  • Request Info
  • Apply
  • 1 (800) 252 7528
Alaska Pacific University

Discover Active Learning

  • Academics
  • Admissions & Costs
  • Student Life & Activities
  • About APU
  • Virtual Campus Tour
  • DONATE
  • Request Info
  • Apply
  • 1 (800) 252 7528
  • myAPU
  • Directory
  • Library
  • Courses
  • Catalog
  • Blackboard
  • (907) 564-8362

Provost Hilton Hallock Offers Words of Welcome to Incoming Class at Convocation

August 20, 2018

Hilton Hallock giving presentationThe following is the transcript from our Fall Convocation Ceremony.

Good morning and, on behalf of the faculty and staff of Alaska Pacific University, welcome to Convocation and the start of the new academic year!

We have been working hard to prepare for today. And for the new students and their families, it might be reassuring to know that, despite how many times we may have done this, we feel the same way—excited, a little nervous, never 100% ready. But we are prepared, and ​you are prepared. You, too, have done a lot of hard work to prepare for today.

You may have heard about this Convocation ceremony. Convocation is a gathering that traditionally marks the beginning of the academic term. Good advice is given. Inspiring words are often spoken. In thinking about this momentous occasion, I’m guessing most of the people in this this room have asked ourselves a very important question: Do we really have to go to this?

Tip #1: when it’s on the syllabus or schedule, the answer is usually yes.

But I would like to suggest to you that the better question is, “Why is it important that I came to this?” For that matter, why is it important that we have Convocation at all?

I mean, it’s a small school. You’d figure out who we are and where your classes are eventually, right?

Convocation is particularly important because this gathering of students, faculty, staff, Board members, alumni, friends and family reminds us that, in a world that often prizes individual achievement, at APU, learning is a community activity.

Now, introverts among you (like me), don’t panic. There will still be opportunities to take a walk around University Lake or find a quiet corner to study in the library or plug in headphones to listen to music.

But at APU, learning is a group effort. We value what every member of the community brings to the teaching and learning experience. And we all have a responsibility contribute to the project—ask questions, float ideas, look out for friend on the trail, share a different perspective in class, ask for help.

Yes, asking for help is contributing.

Now, just because there are more of us working on the big project of learning does not necessarily make it easier. In fact, learning as a community activity has its challenges. It’s messy. We all bring different backgrounds, ideas and priorities to learning, and sometimes that means there is conflict or confusion. But we recognize that our community and our learning is richer for this diversity.

And I should also probably warn you that, despite all this collaboration and engagement, at some point during the year, you will feel very alone. Maybe you feel really far from home. Or like you are the only one in the whole class who doesn’t understand the question. Or the only one with a particular life experience.

When that happens, I want you to think about this Convocation. Remember the people who have prepared the paths for your success. Remember the upperclass students who came back early to support you. Picture the faculty and staff who are excited you are here and confident in both your ability and the transformative power of education. Think about the people, some here with you now, who were there for you before college and who will be with you during and after college.

Learning is a community activity. Convocation helps us remember that, and that’s why it’s important that you came.

Thank you for coming. Thank you in advance for what you will contribute to the University community. And have a great year!

Filed Under: Active Learning, Community, Student Activities

Primary Sidebar

Categories

  • Active Learning (173)
  • Admissions (15)
  • Advancement (11)
  • Alaskan Culture (9)
  • Alumni (12)
  • APU Spotlight (29)
  • Business Administration and Management (12)
  • Business Administration Department (23)
  • Commencement (4)
  • Community (45)
  • Consortium Library News (2)
  • Counseling Psych & Human Services (6)
  • Counseling Psychology (6)
  • Early Honors (6)
  • Earth Science (12)
  • Education (6)
  • Environmental Public Health (2)
  • Environmental Science (34)
  • Expedition Alaska (4)
  • Faculty (3)
  • Farmers Market (4)
  • FAST Lab (7)
  • Featured Item (19)
  • Geology (2)
  • Graduation (4)
  • Kellogg Campus (20)
  • Liberal Studies (51)
  • Marine Biology (26)
  • Master of Arts (5)
  • Master of Business Administration (16)
  • MS Environmental Science (16)
  • MSOEE (7)
  • News Page (12)
  • Newsletter (4)
  • Nordic Skiing (21)
  • Nursing & Health (3)
  • Outdoor Studies (23)
  • President's Blog (33)
  • Press Releases (42)
  • Raven Reconnaissance (3)
  • Recently completed theses (7)
  • Research (19)
  • Scholarships (2)
  • Spring Creek Farm Journal (4)
  • Student Activities (15)
  • Student Stories (12)
  • Sustainability Studies (22)
  • We Are APU (37)
  • World Class (34)

Recent Blog Posts

Alaska Pacific University awarded nearly $3 million grant to strengthen and diversify Alaska’s nursing workforce 

May 31, 2023

APU president says the school can help address Alaska’s outmigration woes

April 26, 2023

APU professor finds when it comes to salary, majors matter more than colleges

April 24, 2023

Public Lecture Announced: Learning and Earnings With Institute of Business and Public Policy

February 17, 2023

APU’s Swirbul and Anchorage’s Jager add to their national cross-country ski championship totals

January 20, 2023

You Are Here: Home / Active Learning / Provost Hilton Hallock Offers Words of Welcome to Incoming Class at Convocation

Footer

Alaska Pacific University
4101 University Drive • Anchorage, Alaska 99508
  • Careers
  • Donate
  • Conferencing Services
  • Campus Store
  • Transcripts

© 2023 Alaska Pacific University · All Rights Reserved · Notice Regarding Web Accessibility · Privacy Policy · Website Credits