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Classes of 2024 and 2025 celebrate at New Student Convocation

Despite rain and cloudy skies, Tar Heels gathered in Kenan Stadium on Aug. 16 for New Student Convocation, an annual tradition that celebrates the beginning of students' on-campus Carolina experience.

Student cheer in the stands of Kenan Stadium.
New Student Convocation held at Kenan Stadium on the campus of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. (Jon Gardiner/UNC-Chapel Hill)

The Class of 2025 waited years to begin their Carolina careers. The Class of 2024 waited an extra year to get the whole Chapel Hill experience because of the pandemic.

And they all had to wait one day more to be officially inducted into the Carolina community after New Student Convocation was postponed Sunday night because of inclement weather.

But on Monday night, their chance finally came.

Despite rain and cloudy skies, the two classes and incoming transfer students gathered in Kenan Stadium on Aug. 16 for New Student Convocation, an annual tradition that celebrates the beginning of students’ on-campus Carolina experience.

The chancellor takes a photo with several students.

Chancellor Kevin M. Guskiewicz takes a selfie photo with students before the start of the New Student Convocation. (Jon Gardiner/UNC-Chapel Hill)

Chancellor Kevin M. Guskiewicz presided over the ceremony, which also featured Provost Bob Blouin, Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Amy Johnson, Student Body President Lamar Richards and Bernard Bell ’82 ’91 (MBA), the executive director of Carolina’s Shuford Program in Entrepreneurship.

As they prepare to begin their academic careers and on-campus experience, Guskiewicz’s message to the students was simple: We believe in you.

“We believe you will question why things are the way they are — here at Carolina and around the nation,” he said. “We believe you will be part of solving the grand challenges of our time. We like to take on big challenges here at Carolina. We believe you will build careers that don’t exist yet. In short, we believe you will change the world.”

Guskiewicz urged the students to take advantage of all the academic and extracurricular opportunities that Carolina has to offer.

“Make the most of every opportunity this magical place has to offer. Then, you will see how much is possible,” he said. “I hope you see what I see in you: endless possibilities for how you will succeed and make a difference in this world.”

Bernard Bell at the podium.

Bernard Bell addresses the Classes of 2024 and 2025 during New Student Convocation.(Jon Gardiner/UNC-Chapel Hill)

Bell, a two-time Carolina alumnus, knows those opportunities well. While most students will study at Carolina for four years, they have just 728 days in the classroom as an undergrad, he said. Bell encouraged the Tar Heels to make the most of their time as students by finding their authentic selves, embracing challenges, building new relationships and being vulnerable.

By doing so, he said, the Classes of 2024 and 2025 can make their impact in the world.

“UNC will allow you to create endless opportunities because we are a public university that prepares people to change the world,” he said. “I need you to consider choosing courage over comfort because we need you.”

With the words of encouragement as they get ready for their first day of classes Wednesday, Guskiewicz sent the students on their way to make the most of their time at Carolina by reminding them of the ultimate goal of returning to Kenan Stadium as a class again on a future May morning.

“We will see you back here at Kenan Stadium for graduation before you know it, and I can’t wait to see the amazing ways you will change our campus and, eventually, change our world,” he said. “Welcome to Carolina and Go Heels!”

Watch a replay of New Student Convocation