New students walk past the SMU seal in Dallas Hall during Tuesday’s convocation ceremony. STUART PALLEY/The Daily Campus

The 95th annual opening convocation filled the McFarlin Auditorium with freshmen and SMU faculty to welcome new students to the University community.

Eager to start the new school year, all the freshmen were led in by other students carrying flags from all the different states and countries that SMU’s student body represents while being heralded by the SMU Trumpet Ensemble. Student were then followed in to Dallas Hall by all the professors in robes.

President R. Gerald Turner acknowledged the students “apprehension and excitement of this new place,” and told them all to remember this time well because it zooms by quickly. President Turner also said, as he does to every class, “You are the finest class, in every way, to ever enter this institution,” and then went on to explain that the faculty they at their learning disposal is an outstanding bunch and will touch each incoming undergraduates academic life in one way or another.

Students were also warned by President Turner to keep a lookout on campus for former President George Bush because you never know when he might stop by to speak to a class or just to chat with students on the boulevard.

SMU is a place to learn who you are and what your passions are so that you can go into the world with a purpose, and carryout that purpose in the best way possible. President Turner told the audience of new students “you can now be whomever and whatever you want here at Southern Methodist University, find your passion and cultivate it.”

The way to go about cultivating your passions to the best of your ability is to aggressively strive in academics while constantly challenging yourself and allowing room to grow. Get to know your teachers, know what is expected of you, and achieve to the best of your capabilities.

“Advance the quality of your experience here.” Said Lori White, Vice President for student affairs.

“Pick one event from time to time on SMU’s campus that might challenge yourself and go!” said Chaplain Rankin.

This years convocation speaker was Jeffrey Talley, chair of the department of environmental and civil engineering and Bobby B. Lyle professor of leadership and global entrepreneurship.

He told the new freshman class to remember three words and three words for their time here at SMU, “scholarship, leadership, and service”. Use the tools learned here at college to help serve something bigger than yourself. He also encouraged students to meet with their teachers outside of class, set up extra time with them and show them you want to learn.

At the conclusion of the convocation the historic Ovilla Curtain was lowered to signify the completion of initiation.