Texas Wesleyan President Dr. Emily Messer, along with other students and professors, spoke at the annual convocation Sept. 27 at Martin Hall.
Messer welcomed the freshman class with a speech about Malala Yousafzai that was meant to encourage students to overcome future obstacles.
“I hope that they see what Malala did in her life and understand… that you can overcome [adversity] and be successful,” Messer said.
During convocation, various students gave speeches at the podium, including president of Student Government Association and sophomore biology major Jordan Henthorn; and freshman management major and first-year representative Max Gusman. Daylan Anderson Harris, second-year religion major and management minor, prepared by rehearsing the benediction typed out by university Chaplin Dr. Gladys Childs.
“Being in front of so many people was nerve racking,” Harris said. “Just knowing what to do and when to do it was like the biggest preparation.”
Freshmen success classes were offered extra credit to attend convocation. Logan Ferrel, freshman political science major, said she did not feel obligated to go because of the extra credit.
“I don’t really need the extra credit, really,” Ferrel said. “I’m just here for the vibes.”