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Ohio Wesleyan's Class of 2027 moved in Aug. 17, representing 30 states and 21 countries. (Video by Mark Schmitter '12)
During his time at Ohio Wesleyan University, senior Justice Clark has helped to conduct research tied to advertising and e-cigarettes and, separately, to improving screening and reducing colorectal cancer in African Americans.
Clark has traveled to Denmark and Germany with other OWU students and faculty to study the experiences of first-generation college students in the United States and abroad. He has participated in the campus organization Black Men of the Future and has been elected as the 2023-2024 president of the Wesleyan Council of Student Affairs (OWU's student government).
He shared thoughts about his time at Ohio Wesleyan and tips for new students during the Aug. 17 opening convocation to welcome OWU's Class of 2027 and new transfer students.
"I'm so excited and happy to meet you all – some of the best minds, leaders, and world-changers of this next generation," said Clark, a double major in Biology and Pre-Medicine from Oklahoma City. "I know all of you are qualified and have the potential to succeed and excel here at OWU."
To help the new Bishops get off to their best start, Clark shared "three lessons that I've learned that will contribute and lead to a fruitful and successful college experience."
His top tips are to "start strong academically," which includes taking advantage of professors' office hours; "find ways to join the OWU community," by participating in clubs and attending campus events; and "take advantage of every opportunity to advance your understanding and experience in your major and other fields of interest." This includes pursuing internships, research opportunities, travel-learning experiences, service work, and other components of the OWU Connection, Ohio Wesleyan's signature experience.
"I'm sure you all will learn these and other tips as you step into your journey," Clark said. "All of you are capable and were chosen to attend OWU for a reason. You have talents, skills, and character that not only OWU needs but our world needs as well."
Adam Smith, MBA, Ohio Wesleyan's vice president for enrollment, officially presented the new class and shared information about the students to help them get acquainted.
"Individually and collectively, you are a very accomplished group," Smith said, noting that the class includes students who have:
Smith also shared geographic, academic, and extracurricular information about OWU's newest students, including:
"You all have the potential to excel here," Smith said, "and every member of the community looks forward to helping you discover and achieve your goals."
After Smith officially presented the new class, "freshman" President Matt vandenBerg, Ed.D., welcomed the other first-years and transfer students to Ohio Wesleyan.
"You have had to overcome a lot just to get here," said vandenBerg, who became Ohio Wesleyan's 17th president in July. "You are members of the so-called COVID generation. A cohort that endured the severe impacts of the global pandemic. … Yet you persisted because you are determined. You adapted because you are resilient. And you persevered because you are you.
"In the words of the wise 21st century existential philosopher Taylor Swift: 'Shake it off. Shake it off.' And that's exactly what you did."
vandenBerg also shared information about the founding of Ohio Wesleyan, explaining that the first building on the current OWU campus, Elliott Hall, was built in the early 1830s as "a resort, a place of healing and rejuvenation, of health and enrichment." When it closed in the 1840s, local Pastor Adam Poe led the effort to raise money, buy it and the surrounding land, and found a university "of the highest order," he said.
"You have chosen to continue your education at an institution whose DNA, whose very soul is rooted in the mission of rejuvenation and healing and transformation," vandenBerg said. "As you take your first steps at your new university, remember the spirit of renewal and resilience that courses through its history. Just as our first building transformed from a healing sanctuary into an institution of higher learning. You, too, have the power to transform challenges into triumphs. … Welcome to a community that believes in you."
Provost Karlyn Crowley, Ph.D., also welcomed the group, sharing with them the history of Ohio Wesleyan's motto, "In lumine tuo videbimus lumen." Translated, she said, the Latin phrase means "In Your Light We Shall See the Light."
"This metaphor of light is the light of learning through which you will not only see and imagine differently, you will be different," Crowley said. "You will be changed. It is also that your light will change us, will change Ohio Wesleyan. …
"Ohio Wesleyan is calling you," she said, "to be brave enough to see the light and brave enough to be it."
Dwayne Todd, Ph.D., vice president for Student Engagement and Success, shared Ohio Wesleyan's student promise with the crowd, inviting the students to read the text along with him.
"I will embrace opportunities for academic growth, leadership, and service that have a positive impact on me and the Ohio Wesleyan community," the group said in unison.
"I will value the time that I have been given to explore my interests and passions with an open mind to new possibilities," they continued. I will respect each individual person and appreciate their unique perspectives regardless of appearance, ethnicity, faith, gender, ability, sexual orientation, or social standing. I will contribute my talents, gifts, and ideas toward strengthening this campus community and, as I am able, improving the world."
View photos from the 2023 Move-In, Welcome Events, and Convocation on Flickr.