Class of 2030 welcomed at Freshman Convocation

Despite a heat advisory and soaring temperatures across Augusta on August 17, the energy surrounding Augusta University’s incoming freshman class radiated as the Class of 2030 began their journey as jaguars at Freshman Convocation.   

Hosted by the Office of First and Second Year Experiences, with university-wide support from faculty, staff and campus partners, Freshman Convocation kick-starts students’ academic journeys at Augusta University.

The purpose of Convocation is to establish a connection between first-year students and AU by emphasizing the university’s commitment to their academic success. Convocation also serves as first-year students’ introduction to university traditions, such as the ringing of the Arsenal Bell.

During the ceremony, students heard from university leadership, including Augusta University President Russell T. Keen, First Lady Karen B. Keen and Maggy G. Tomova, PhD, executive vice president for academic affairs and provost. Students participated in their class pinning ceremony and filled in a large painted A-U on the grass outside the Jaguar Student Activities Center for an official class photo.

Leaning into her roots as a mathematician, Tomova shared a formula for success with students, breaking down the numbers that make up 2030: two, five, seven and 29:

• Two academic plans: Tomova encouraged students to plan for two academic paths in case they should change their minds about what educational route to pursue.
• Five campus events: Tomova encouraged students to attend five campus events during their first year to get connected with fellow Jaguars across campus.
• Remember, you’re a college student seven days a week: While students might be in classes Monday through Friday, Tomova reminded students to make the most of their college experience all seven days of the week and do something outside of going to school.
• 29 weeks in the academic year: Tomova challenged students to meet one new person for each week of the academic year, suggesting one of them be their academic advisor.

President Keen encouraged students to recognize their potential, persist through challenges and leave their mark on Augusta University, connecting the university’s “Ignite the Light” theme with the belief that “It Can Be Done.”

“Light doesn’t happen without friction. Nobody lights a match by being gentle with it. You strike it. There’s resistance. There’s heat. That’s not a flaw in the process. That is the process,” Keen said. “Your time here will strike a few matches of its own … That is exactly when grit shows up, not before. “Grit doesn’t get a chance to prove anything on the easy days. Resilience isn’t tested when everything goes right. It’s forged in the exact moment that you might want to quit but choose not to.”

Undergraduate Student Government Association president John Blalock, a fourth-year political science major, reminded AU’s incoming freshman that they belong and it’s up to them to build their college experience.

“You were made for this moment not by accident, not by coincidence. You’re here on purpose, for a purpose. If you ever forget that, look around. The people next to you may not share your story, they may not have the same trajectory as you, but chances are they share your hunger. To grow, to build something that counts. That’s what binds us, not just the university blue or the JagCards in our pockets, but the belief that we’re here to build something bigger than ourselves,” Blalock said.

First Lady Karen Keen shared advice she first heard as a college student: “Don’t be shy when you want a piece of pie.”

“What this means is you can’t sit idly as you want things to happen in your life,” she said. “You have to take active steps to go and make them happen. You have to make your experience into what you want it to be.”

After the ceremony, the Keens served students cherry, apple, chocolate, and key lime pie, offering them a literal reminder of the first lady’s encouragement to pursue experiences they want from college. Students also enjoyed brunch in the Jaguar Student Activities Center and met with classmates, faculty and staff.

“Freshman Convocation is a shared experience between our students, faculty, and staff. It’s the introduction to what it means to be a part of the Jaguar family. And much like a family, this is something they will remember and talk about even as alumni,” said Elizabeth Huggins, EdD, director of the Office of First and Second Year Experiences. “My favorite Convocation memory was watching the 1828 Ambassadors coordinate the pinning ceremony and the orientation leaders initiate AU spirit chants with freshmen in the JSAC café. Convocation is about connection!”

The Class of 2030 will add to Augusta University’s growing enrollment, with anticipated enrollment topping more than 12,600 students this academic year.

Bryson Marshall and Tyler Mapel, incoming biology students from Camden County, Georgia, said they chose Augusta University because of the medical program.

“If there’s any place you’re going to go for medical school, Augusta seemed like the place to go for that,” Marshall said.

Mapel added that he chose AU for the small class sizes and wanted to connect with his professors and engage more in class.

Marshall and Mapel, along with their friends David Ballum and Ethan Dunn, are pumped up for the start of the semester. Dunn, an incoming cyber operations student from the Atlanta area, is looking forward to experiencing the “big, small-town feel” of Augusta. 

Luis Cruz, a Thomson, Georgia native and incoming computer science student, chose Augusta University because of the caliber of the computer science program and affordability.

“The computer science program is way better here than other places. The campus is not far from here either, so I can drive here and avoid paying more than necessary,” Cruz said.

For Amina Watson, an incoming Augusta area kinesiology student, she’s excited for the start of the school year and excited to explore a part of town she hasn’t spent a lot of time in. She shared words of wisdom from her pastor that she’s carrying with her as the semester begins.

“My pastor said at church this week, ‘If you want to see new things, you have to do things you’ve never done.’ That’s what I’m going into this school year with,” Watson said.