SU President Welcomes New Students

From University of Alberta Students and Young Alumni:

On September 1, University President Indira Samarasekera, Alumni Association President Jim Hole, and Students’ Union President Kory Mathewson welcomed new students to the University of Alberta at the spirited closing ceremony for Orientation 2009. President Samarasekera urged students to “make this one of the greatest universities in the world,” while Jim Hole encouraged students to get involved and make life-long connections to the U of A. Kory Mathewson spoke with feeling, enthusiasm and from recent personal experience about the student experience at the U of A.

On behalf of the Students’ Union, I would like to welcome each and every one of you, class of 2013 [or 2014 or 2015, wherever you end up, no one is judging], welcome to the University of Alberta. It is my hope that over two days of Orientation, you now have the tools to help you become a world-class student.

My goal as Students’ Union President is to ensure greater communication exists between students, student groups, faculty associations, faculty, administration and the Students’ Union. I want to ensure that every student can have a memorable and beneficial university experience.

I want every student to feel like this is their University, and to understand that their voice is worthy of being heard. I want to hear your hopes and dreams for the U of A. What are your problems with what is provided to you? What do you benefit from? What do you need?

The Students’ Union exists for the students, for each and every one of you, but we cannot act without your voices. We need to hear from you, to work with you to create a world-class university

As each and every one of you look to the future, after four [or more] years at the University of Alberta, you will see changes. You may have a tattoo that you are embarrassed to show your mom, your relentless pursuit of a PhD in Electrical Engineering may evolve into part-time studies in Liberal Arts. You may find yourself in Dewey’s or the Room at the Top wishing that public transit ran later so you could stay for just one more… hour of stirring conversation around a previously unexplored idea.

You may not have known anything about the University experience until this week, or you may have been studying on how the year will transpire for the past four months. Regardless of how prepared you are, each of you are all about to embark on an extraordinary personal journey that will be characterized by change and growth.

You will grow in mind, both in strength and in breadth of ideas. You will grow in physical strength…and girth. As a student there will be opportunities and setbacks, orchids and onions. There will be moments of panic, and moments of stillness. You may fall in love with the wrong person, or you may have just met the right one at Orientation. These years will be filled with change. And as fast as your life is moving now, University will only propel you faster into your future.

You may forget lines in a play, or to hand in a homework assignment on time, you may wage wars against midterms far too challenging for any student, you may walk from Lister or Campus Saint-Jean down to the river to watch the ice melt rather than study for three final exams on one day.

You may be petrified about the coming year, or you may be more ready than I ever was. You may have your heart broken in broad day light, and study in dark midnight. You may reach to the stars, only to have the wind knocked out of you. You will fall, but when you do, fall without apology. Be fearless; do not give up your passion. Grasp your dreams and stand up. Stand up more prepared, stand ready!

You will learn valuable lessons inside and out of the classroom. Your professors will teach you more than you thought you would ever know. They will challenge and inspire you, with both the material and life lessons.

I urge you to always expect wisdom and respect from them.

Take what you can as your opportunity will be over, before you know it.

Support and give back to your friends, family and loved ones, as they will be the ones who support you with midnight emails, back rubs, homemade cookies, and hot chocolate when your lips freeze together. Midterms will be here before you have unpacked your dorm, or explored the city. Be fearless, expect more, and get engaged.

The wait is over. The University of Alberta is ready for you. The staff, faculty, advisors, Dean’s, libraries, classrooms, textbooks, varsity teams, and computer labs, are ready for you. The Students’ Union is ready for you. We are world-class students ready for a world-class University.