By Tina V. Bryson
University Communications and Marketing
Ohio University welcomed one of the largest classes of first-year students ever to enter the University over the weekend. About 3,700 freshman students and their parents joined President Robert Glidden during the Freshman Convocation held Sunday, Sept. 8.
"You are a special class," Glidden said. "Ohio University is a special place -- a place that has provided opportunities to thousands before you over a history of 198 years. And as of today, this is your university -- it is yours just as much as it is mine."
The freshman class that Glidden addressed was selected from a record number of applicants -- 13,196. With Admissions expecting 16 National Merit Scholars and about 300 achievement scholars, the most prestigious scholarships awarded by the University.
"We want you to share our pride in this historic, venerable institution, Ohio's first and finest university! Ohio University has a history of producing leaders in our society‹in business and education, in engineering and public service, in the arts, in science, and in professions such as medicine and law. This University has been a place of opportunity for thousands who preceded you -- many who came from modest backgrounds but who took their opportunity here seriously and made the best of it.
"We are proud of all those leaders. But it is you in whom we are presently interested; it is you in whom we are making our investment for the future. It is you who will help to make this an even greater University for tomorrow. And it is you who have the potential to be the leaders of the 21st century," Glidden said.
As part of the weekend welcoming tradition, the Marching 110 lead the Class of 2006 on the Convocation March to the College Gate on Saturday, Sept. 8. "The march is symbolic of the first steps the students are taking in their journey to a new place in life," said Terry Hogan, dean of students. "The College Gate provides a place to mark that occasion."
