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'You've Got This!

Ohio Wesleyan Welcomes Class of 2028, New Transfer Students at Convocation

Ohio Wesleyan's Class of 2028 moved in Aug. 15, representing 30 states and 25 countries. (Video by Mark Schmitter '12)

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Ohio Wesleyan University junior Gabby Gonzalez-Duarte shared a simple message with OWU's incoming students at their Aug. 15 welcome-to-campus convocation.

"OWU saw your potential and invited you to be a Bishop," Gonzalez-Duarte '26 told the nearly 500 students gathered for the event. "You've got this!"

A triple major in Public Health, Psychology, and Politics & Government, Gonzalez-Duarte is president of the Wesleyan Council on Student Affairs (WCSA), OWU's student government. She shared her own OWU experience with the first-year students and their families, promising to help the new Bishops in their journeys.

"As a first-generation student and an immigrant from Venezuela who arrived in the U.S. around seven years ago," Gonzalez-Duarte said, "I know firsthand how challenging it is to move to a new place, make new friends, and transition to a new life.

"I didn't know a lick of English and struggled to communicate," the now-confident young woman shared. "Although my journey has been full of many sleepless nights, I've been fortunate enough to meet people who were willing to guide me, mentor me, and offer a helping hand and a kind smile – something our world could use more of.

"So, I am here to be one of the people who can help you, guide you, mentor you, and offer a smile," Gonzalez-Duarte said. "I believe that you can be a driving force for change as well."

'An Exceptionally Accomplished Group'

Adam Smith, MBA, Ohio Wesleyan's vice president for enrollment, officially presented the new students and shared information about the classmates to help them get acquainted.

"Both individually and collectively, you are an exceptionally accomplished group," Smith said, telling OWU's newest Bishops:

• You were selected from an applicant pool of over 6,300 students.
• You represent 30 states and 25 countries.
• 39% of you are first-gen students – the first in your family to go to college.
• 11% of you have a family member who attended Ohio Wesleyan.

"You are an academically talented group," Smith continued, sharing with the new students:

• Eight of you were valedictorian of your high school class, four were salutatorian, and three were recognized as a National Merit finalist, semifinalist, or commended scholar.
• 96 of you reported being a member of the National Honor Society.
• Nine of you already have completed study abroad or exchange experiences.
• 158 of you took college courses in high school through dual enrollment or College Credit Plus.

"Outside of the classroom, you have kept very busy," Smith said, telling the group:

• 265 of you participated in varsity sports in high school.
  • 121 of you were team captains.
  • 53 of you were All-Star, All-State, or All-Region in a varsity sport.
• 51 of you were involved in theater and 15 of you played a lead role or served as a production director.
• 105 of you were involved in a music group in high school and 52 of you participated in marching band.
• Eight of you were the editor of your school's newspaper or yearbook.
• Nine of you were active in Model United Nations.

"In addition to these activities – all of which are impressive – you made your mark in other ways as well," Smith continued, informing the incoming class:

• 15 of you achieved the rank of Life or Eagle Scout or earned the Silver or Gold Girl Scout Award.
• 57 of you served as president of a club in your high school.
• 14 of you were student body or class president.
• At least 23 of you were heavily involved in clubs dedicated to diversity, equity, and belonging.
• 189 of you held a part-time job while in high school.

Next, Smith shared some "fun facts" about the newest Bishops, telling the crowd:

• Many of you haven't decided on a major, but the most popular academic majors listed on your applications were Business Administration, Psychology, Health and Human Kinetics, Zoology, and Biology.
• Some of the most popular first names in the class are Sophia, Katherine, Kennedy, Abigail, Ava, Logan, Joseph, Adam, Alexander, and Benjamin.

Smith concluded by sharing a few specific accomplishments "to give you a sense of the eclectic and diverse interests of your classmates," noting that Ohio Wesleyan's Class of 2028 includes:

• An alpaca trainer/instructor and an equestrian stable caretaker.
• An Orange Belt in Karate and a Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do.
• A participant in the Miss Bryan Ohio and Ultimate Bryan Ohio pageants, a runner-up in the Miss Illinois Teen 2023 pageant, and a winner of the Miss Ohio Teen 2024 pageant.
• A participant in a national research competition in Greece and the winner of the Daughters of the American Revolution Essay Contest.
• A team captain of their school's Junior Science Quiz Team and an ROTC master chief and training officer.
• A bronze medalist in a national fencing competition and a national synchronized swimming competitor.
• A student who spent six months teaching children's music in the Philippines and a student who worked as a summer intern at Cleveland's Case Western Reserve University.
• A monarch butterfly researcher and a proprietor of a small, self-run art business.
• A founder of a community-oriented club lacrosse team that has raised nearly $2,200 for cancer research.
• A world-ranked CrossFit athlete (No. 133 in his age group) and a 4-H best overall showman and premier rabbit exhibitor.
• A student who portrayed their high school mascot and who also went to nationals for soil judging.
• A Columbus Zoo and Aquarium intern and a team winner of a national film festival award.
• A youth basketball training entrepreneur/business owner and a participant in the Irish sport of Hurling.

"You all bring a wealth of interests, achievements, and accolades to Ohio Wesleyan, and our community will be enriched by your enthusiasm and aspirations," Smith said. "Each of you has the potential to excel here, and every member of our community is eager to help you discover and achieve your goals."

'Honor, Respect, and Speak with Care'

Provost Karlyn Crowley, Ph.D., was next to welcome the new students, 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."

Crowley also shared a new opportunity that everyone on campus will have this year to complete virtual training in civil discourse, or difficult conversations.

"Just imagine, that you feel more equipped … in just a few hours of some basic training," Crowley said, "to navigate conflict, reduce conflict, learn how to talk about different beliefs, hold onto those beliefs, and still be connected.

"Everyone on campus will have this same opportunity faculty, staff, the cabinet, the president," Crowley said, "because at Ohio Wesleyan, we honor, respect, and speak with care with one another. Why? In lumine tuo videbimus lumen. In your light, we shall see the light."

Strengthening the Campus, Improving the World

Next, 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."

Todd also encouraged the students to join student organizations, meet classmates in their residence halls, and take advantage of other opportunities to help them develop a sense of belonging.

"Don't miss the chances to engage in making connections with the many communities at OWU," Todd said, "as they will help affirm to you that you belong here. And you do!"

'We Take Action'

President Matt vandenBerg, Ed.D., concluded Ohio Wesleyan's 183rd opening convocation by congratulating the students on all they've successfully navigated already in their journeys to become Bishops. He also discussed OWU's new civil dialogue training – officially announced today.

"As a society, we're deeply polarized," vandenBerg said. "We so often identify only with our own political and cultural camps. We find ourselves less willing to engage with those who hold different views. As a society, we're reticent to listen. We're quick to judge. And we give each other props for how witty and hurtful we can be.

"All of this has eroded our collective trust and it's made it harder to even talk about our problems, let alone to solve them," he said. But that's not true at Ohio Wesleyan. "Here, we treat others with kindness and compassion. Here, we engage in constructive dialogue. Here, when we see problems, we take action. …

"Today, on your very first day here on campus, Ohio Wesleyan is announcing publicly that we've become one of the first colleges in the United States to provide formal training in constructive dialogue to all students, all faculty, and all staff members," vandenBerg shared.

"Working together," he concluded, "this is going to be an epic year!"

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View photos from the 2024 Move-In, Welcome Events, Convocation, and Camp-OhWooo! sessions on Flickr.