University of Lynchburg’s new students heard a fresh take on the definition of college Wednesday morning.
“College is four years where you get to devour everything in your path, like a crazed, knowledge-ingesting Tyrannosaurus,” Dr. Virginia Cylke said.
Cylke, a psychology professor, was the Convocation speaker by virtue of receiving the 2019 Shirley Rosser Award for Excellence in Teaching. In addition to her dinosaur metaphor, she gave the students a more tame image for the feast of knowledge: a family picnic.
“As of this day, your family has expanded more than you can ever possibly imagine,” Cylke said. “I want you to consider the next four years an epic family picnic filled with aunts and uncles you haven’t yet had time to meet.”
She gave the new students advice about making the most of their college picnic by enjoying vegetables (general education), the main course (their majors) and dessert (extracurricular activities).
“Pick a major that makes you want to take an 8 a.m. class,” she said.
She described topics that students could explore with various faculty members, such as dinosaurs, dolphin communication, and mind-bending facts about English grammar. But she reminded students that they have a contribution to the college picnic, too.
“What you bring to the table is just as important as what we bring to the table,” Cylke said. “Your excitement about learning is what fuels our passion to teach you.”
“You belong here,” she said. “You bring your passion and commitment. We’ll bring the proverbial potato salad. And don’t forget your tupperware, because there’s going to be plenty for all and there might be leftovers.”
“What you bring to the table is just as important as what we bring to the table,” Cylke said. “Your excitement about learning is what fuels our passion to teach you.”
Davion Washington ’21, president of the Student Government Association, gave them a student’s perspective on what they can expect and the University of Lynchburg community expects of them.
“Welcome to the University of Lynchburg — a place where you will share your story and build upon it with your new Hornet family,” he said. “Welcome to a place that builds leaders, mentors, and change agents.”
He asked the students to value respect and inclusion and think about what unites them all. Although each student is unique, the differences that could divide them will pale in comparison by the time they graduate as a unified class.
At Commencement in four years, “you will … forget about the minute things that separate us as individuals and you will remember that you are collectively, and always have been, Lynchburg Hornets,” Washington said.
“Prepare to embark on a journey that you will never get to repeat,” he said, “one that will be cemented in your story and University of Lynchburg history.”
Students at Convocation signed a banner to commit to respectful conduct. The banner, which reads, “Hornets Have Respect,” is connected to a new initiative that encourages the University of Lynchburg community to lead in creating a respectful environment, on campus and off.
