Annual First-Year Convocation formally welcomes Class of 2027 to Columbus State

August 28, 2023

More than 275 first-year and current students, faculty and staff packed Columbus State University’s Davidson Auditorium on Thursday, Aug. 17 for its First-Year Convocation. Now in its 19th year, the annual gathering provided a special welcome to students comprising the university’s Class of 2027.

“Starting college is an incredible milestone, and our annual First-Year Convocation is our way of rolling out the red carpet to our newest Columbus State Cougars,” said the First-Year Experience program’s director, Dr. Melody Shumaker. “Our convocation allows new students to meet the people and learn about the programs that will make up their college experience. It’s a wonderful opportunity to learn what Columbus State is all about.”

Shumaker emphasized that the event isn’t just for the freshmen, but for all students who are entering their first year of studies at Columbus State — including dual-enrolled high school students and transfer students. And, since getting the inside scoop on college life is the convocation’s primary purpose, the highlight of the annual event is often learning the dos and don’ts from current CSU students. This year’s convocation included a panel discussion featuring upperclassmen, moderated by the Honors College’s dean Dr. Cindy Ticknor, and spanning topics from getting involved and managing your time to maximizing every college class and allowing yourself to fail sometimes.

“Getting involved is super-duper important,” panelist and senior accounting major Handglin Dawkins (pictured, seated, right) from Conyers, Georgia, stressed. “And it doesn’t even have to be going to events. I love going to the [Student Recreation Center] or one of the local rivers or parks — it’s nice to take a break from my studies and get some school-life balance.”

“I wish when I was a freshman I did more. Our campus constantly has something going on,” added Jordan Kinderman (pictured, seated, left), a Suwanee, Georgia, native and senior theatre education major. “When I actually started going to events, I met so many people I wouldn’t have met otherwise if I hadn’t gotten involved.”

Kinderman said since then, she’s allowed a sense of discomfort to drive her choices in joining clubs and attending events.

“I would say, ‘don't be afraid of being kind of uncomfortable, because being uncomfortable is where growth happens,’” she advised the audience. “I wish I had allowed myself early on to try new things and to be more uncomfortable. That’s scary, but that’s what college is for — getting out of your comfort zone.”

Jarrett Huckaby (pictured, standing, right) from Phenix City, Alabama, now a junior, found his “discomfort zone” most when trying to decide on a major.

“I changed my major three times — and each time I knew my new major was ‘the one,’” he said, admitted to finally choosing Earth and Space Sciences “because of the lab science class we’re all required to take as part of our core studies. I would have never made connection to my major if it were for my core classes.”

He related the frequent picking and choosing of a college major to being okay with not getting every decision in college right the first time.

“So don't be scared to be wrong sometimes and change your mind,” he said generally about the college experience, and specifically about picking a major. “When you graduate, you’re sort of committed to that career — so don’t be afraid to be wrong now and make those changes so you’re doing something you truly love.”

Savin Taylor (pictured, standing, left), a senior kinesiology major from Salem, Alabama, pointed out that even if you take some extra time shopping around for a major the learning that comes with it isn’t wasted.

“Learning builds on top of itself,” he said. “While I’m not an English major, the required English courses I took definitely taught me how to send an email properly and professionally. Those entry-level, or core, classes may not exactly pertain to what you want to do [after you graduate], but they can be a springboard for your future interests. It gives you a foundation for your future classes and your future success.”

He did stress that having an eventual plan is important to mapping out valuable experience-building opportunities.

“One of the most important things you can do while in college is look for ways to get experience in your major,” Taylor advised. “Get experience shadowing a professional in the field or a hands-on perspective through an internship so you can truly know if your major and your chosen career are right for you. Doing that has made me more confident in what I'm studying and doing right now.”

As part of the convocation program, junior mathematics major Ta’Mya Talley from Columbus introduced students to the Tower Traditions program. As “Tradition Keepers,” Columbus State students can track their campus involvement as they participate in various campus traditions. Upon completing 45 of the 58 available traditions — which range from taking photos with their orientation leader, Cody the Cougar and the university president, to attending specific activities and events — students receive a special “Tradition Keepers” medal they can wear with their cap and gown at commencement.

Students marked one of those traditions off their list during closing remarks by President Stuart Rayfield when she captured a selfie with everyone in attendance.

“What you’ve heard throughout our program is that you are meant to be here,” she said, emphasizing that, like most in attendance, this is her first year on campus as the university’s president. “More importantly, we want you to know that we are here for you. We are here to make sure your hopes and dreams are going to be realized during your time at Columbus State.”

The event also included welcomes and words of advice from Interim Provost and Executive Vice President Pat McHenry, Student Government Association President Adrian Peterson, and Vice President for Student Affairs Gina Sheeks, and the singing of the university’s Alma Mater. It concluded with students taking an official Class of 2027 group photo.

The First-Year Convocation on Aug. 17 is a cornerstone of the university’s annual two-week slate of Cougar Kickoff events, which this year spanned Sunday, Aug. 13 through its 16th annual Day of Service on Saturday, Aug. 26. Other kickoff highlights included an Interfaith Fair on Aug. 14, President’s Picnic on Aug. 16 and the Whitewater Rafting Excursion on Aug. 25 — with a variety of daytime and evening social events, open houses and informational meetings mixed in.

Media contacts:
Michael Tullier, APR, Executive Director of Strategic Communication + Marketing, 706.507.8729, mtullier@columbusstate.edu