New Students Told to “Find Your Life’s Passion”

New Westminster College students were challenged “to find your life’s passion” when the group of 257 gathered at the New Student Convocation ceremony held Saturday afternoon,  August 20, on the College’s campus in Fulton, MO.

“To the Class of 2020, my prayer for each of you is that you find your life’s passion,” Westminster President Dr. Benjamin Ola. Akande told the new class.  “May you commit to pay the price of preparation, may you find the internal fortitude to persevere and may the Good Lord give you in abundance the dexterity and the courage to change the world.”

Keynote speaker for the afternoon ceremony was Bryan York, Class of 2005, Senior Vice President and Manager for Treasury Management for BOK Financial in Oklahoma City, OK.

“I realize now the anxiety of my first weeks at Westminster were more about figuring out who I was and what I wanted to be,” York told the class. “The outcome of who I am today was undoubtedly shaped by Westminster’s most precious asset: the people on this campus—the faculty, administration, staff, coaches, fellow students and even the Fulton townies.”

York told the group he was a firm believer in the adage you get out of life what you put in and he believes the statement is “never truer than when you are in college.”

“Put your time and talents to use in your studies and with your professors,” he urged them. “Get involved in campus organizations, be a leader inside and outside the classroom, take responsibility for yourself and take care of each other.”

New students also heard from senior Zach Stafford from Belleville, IL, who is President of the Student Government Association.

“You are our community and it warms me and honors me to be a part of this special moment today,” Zach told the group. “Be the best version of yourself. And strive for excellence and learn from those around you. Welcome to Westminster. Where we turn success into significance.”

Other speakers at the ceremony included Dr. Carolyn Perry, Senior Vice President of the College and Dean of Faculty; Bobby Andrews, Vice President and Dean of Enrollment Management; Dan Haslag, Interim Vice President and Dean of Student Life; Sarah Munns, Director of Alumni Engagement; and Reverend Jamie Haskins, Director of the Center for Faith & Service and Chaplain of the College.

This year’s class of Westminster students represents 15 states and 8 different countries.

Following Convocation, the new students attended a farewell reception for their parents and family members on Latshaw Plaza, had dinner with their mentors, went to a spirit rally and then socialized with their resident advisors and new classmates on The Quad.

Earlier in the day, they finished moving into the residence halls and were escorted to The Hill for the traditional Columns Ceremony, one of Westminster’s most revered rites.  New students walk from the world through the historic Columns and onto the campus to begin their Westminster experience.  Upon graduation, the students will walk back through the Columns and into the world.  These two ceremonies are the only times people walk through the Columns.

Classes began for the new academic year Thursday, August 25.