Provost Paul Ludden speaks (Nick McCarthy)

Joined by alumni, faculty and Mustang football players, the class of 2011 gathered in McFarlin Auditorium yesterday for the 93rd annual opening convocation.

The university’s centennial class received remarks from Board of Trustees Vice Chair Richard Ware, President of the Faculty Senate Gary Evans and President of the Students’ Association Katherine M. Tullos. Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Paul W. Ludden, provided the keynote speech.

Provost Ludden’s address, “I Am a Stranger Here Myself,” came from the Bill Bryson autobiography of the same name, and emphasized that it was not only the incoming class that was new to the university.

Ludden has been at SMU for only a few weeks. He moved to Dallas from California, where was the dean of the College of Natural Resources at the University of California at Berkeley. There, Ludden focused his work on microbial biology, earning numerous awards including a 10-year Merit Award by the National Institutes of Health.

“I hope all of you will now think of SMU as your home,” said Ludden.

The new provost’s address requested that students fulfill a list of assignments along the course of their time at the university. Some of the tasks included meeting with faculty members outside students’ field of study, as well as students from outside the borders of not only Texas, but also the United States.

“Your undergraduate time is a time to explore your values…but you don’t need to throw everything out,” Ludden said in regards to experiencing life on campus.

Some of Ludden’s other assignments included exercising, practicing optimism and finding a fortress of solitude.

“You need to find a quiet place that is just yours. Find that spot and use it when you need to sit and think,” said Ludden.

The new provost provided no due date for his list of assignments and made it clear that there would be no grade.

“In life, you will judge yourself. Think big. This is Texas. This is SMU!” exclaimed Ludden.

While Evans urged students to seek internships and take foreign language classes for relations beyond their four years on campus, his emphasis was on the present rather than the future.

“To get the most out of your time at SMU, you need to work hard. That’s life,” said Evans.

Tullos also stressed an importance on working hard, but from a student’s perspective.

“What you get out of our college experience is what you put in. Challenge yourself to do more,” she said.

Before filing into McFarlin, students participated in the tradition of walking through Dallas Hall and around the university seal, led by the blue-robed alumni marshals. The students of the class of 2011 hail from all 50 states as well as 30 countries.

First-years walk through the line of flags. (Nick McCarthy)

Students walk through the Rotunda on their way to McFarlin Auditorium. (John Schreiber)