‘Lessons learned’: Chapman welcomes new students to campus

Orientation leaders guide Chapman’s newest students to Wilson Field for Opening Convocation. Photo by KALI HOFFMAN, Photo Editor

A packed audience at Holly and David Wilson Field watched as Chapman welcomed freshmen and transfer students to campus Aug. 20 with annual festivities including a capella music, college advice and fireworks.

The incoming class hails from 61 countries and 49 out of 50 U.S. states (Chapman’s provost, Glenn Pfeiffer, used his speech to urge prospective students from North Dakota to apply to Chapman next year.)

Students walk in a procession displaying the banners of each educational college. Chapman currently offers 110 different disciplines including 49 majors and 61 minors. Photo by KALI HOFFMAN, Photo Editor

School administrators, including Chapman’s president Daniele Struppa, took to the stage on Wilson Field to outline the university’s goals for the upcoming year. Chapman has plans to increase interest in the newly opened Dale E. and Sarah Ann Fowler School of Engineering, housed in the Keck Center for Science and Engineering.

Daniele Struppa waves hello to the class of 2023 at the beginning of his welcome speech. Photo by KALI HOFFMAN, Photo Editor

After the welcoming speeches, political science professor Lori Cox Han alluded to Chapman’s connection to the 2019 college admissions scandal.

“I hope that there are lessons learned from what has happened at USC and other major universities and we can all learn from them and do better going forward,” Cox Han said in her speech.

Incoming students listen as Chapman faculty members give advice. Photo by KALI HOFFMAN, Photo Editor

As the event came to an end, a fireworks show ushered Chapman’s newest class into their first year on campus.

Student orientation leaders cheer as fireworks mark the end of the Opening Convocation ceremony.