The themes of diversity, tolerance, global awareness, and taking on the challenges of climate change, simmering world conflicts, and domestic racism dominated the proceedings at the BU Class of 2020’s Matriculation ceremony on September 3. The 3,591 freshmen hail from 48 states and 74 nations. Under blue skies with a breezy hint of fall in the air, Kenneth Elmore (SED’87), associate provost and dean of students, led the incoming students from Kilachand Hall to Agganis Arena to the drumbeats of the BU Marching Band. Along with berobed faculty and music by the BU Faculty Brass Quintet, the freshmen, multihued and clad in unifying Terrier red, were cheered by throngs of parents and friends.

“You are joining the BU community at a difficult time in the history of our country and the world,” said University President Robert A. Brown, citing an acrimonious presidential campaign and a growing belief in isolationist views. “These times are toxic both here and around the world. Governments are retreating, even exiting, from global interconnectedness.” He cited a series of recent “dreadful acts of violence,” including the bombing of a gay nightclub in Orlando, Fla., and the airport bombing in Istanbul, both in June, and the attack on a crowded promenade in Nice, France, in July that killed or injured hundreds. How we react to these and other tragedies “is our choice,” Brown told the students, adding that he believes that “simply by coming to BU,” with its long history of inclusion, “you have made the choice to live and study in a diverse community and to grow intellectually here.

“Our community of students, faculty, and staff is very international,” said Brown. “I’m betting that when you were looking at BU you recognized our academic diversity as well as diversity in race, gender, sexual identify, socioeconomic background, and religion. I encourage you to embrace BU’s diversity in all its forms. I hope you will socialize with, discuss with, and even argue with, people who don’t agree with your worldview, and do it with the respect that is a necessary condition for a free environment.”

President Robert A. Brown told members of the Class of 2020 during the Matriculation ceremony that they were joining the BU community in a difficult time in the history of our country and the world.” Photo by Matthew Healey

“Just do it,” said Brown, echoing the ubiquitous edict of the Nike campaign. He urged the members of the Class of 2020 to engage with others “even if this quest will not be aligned with your academic program,” and noted that while college is a launching pad for a career, this kind of engagement will enhance their professional prospects. Further, he advised that they “not be tethered to a single community.”

In addition to emphasizing their responsibility to push against a national tide of prejudice, he also adjured them to meet the “great and complicated challenge—perhaps the biggest one—of climate change. It appears today that unless we see some transformative breakthroughs, we are likely to trade the environmental health of our planet for per capita income around the world. You can rally for divestment in fossil fuel corporations—this position is easy to take—but more important, will you commit to lowering your own energy consumption? Will you give a fraction of your income to improve environmental security?

“These are complicated questions,” Brown said. “Use your time at Boston University to learn and master methods of analysis so you can participate in policy discussions.”

He also spoke about how BU has transformed itself into an internationally renowned research university over the past century and what impact that’s had on students. “We strongly believe that this spurs innovation in undergraduates. We work hard to see that research, scholarship, and teaching are mutually supported.” He recommended that the freshmen get to know their professors and establish what could prove to be lifelong friendships.

As for exhibiting responsibility and independence outside of course work and campus life, Brown stressed, as he does every year to new students, the necessity of making responsible choices when it comes to underage drinking, and to be aware that sexual harassment or assault is not tolerated at BU, which, he said, “is based on principles of mutual respect and trust.”

College of Fine Arts freshmen as their college is announced during the September 3 Class of 2020 Matriculation ceremony. Photo by Alexandra Wimley (COM’17)

The theme of becoming responsible citizens of the world was initially sounded in the ceremony’s first address, the undergraduate welcome speech by Student Government president Jacob Brewer (CAS’17), which followed the call to order by Elmore and the invocation by Rev. Robert Allan Hill, dean of Marsh Chapel. Brewer advised the freshmen to take it slow and to follow their passions. “Don’t just do something because you have a fear of missing out; do it because you love it. Find your own path, but never shirk from standing with your peers.” Solidarity, he said, can be a good thing.

In his faculty salutation, Muhammad Zaman, a College of Engineering professor of biomedical engineering and a Howard Hughes Professor, pointed out, with a scientist’s fascination, the symmetry of 2020, the first graduating year with that numerical distinction since 1919. But he, too, embraced the theme of the day, counseling students to “never forget that you’re here for a reason. You’re not here because of some accident or some glitch in the computer system, you’re here because of your skills, your energy, and your enthusiasm. Most importantly, you’re here because we at BU want you to be better.” Zaman, who grew up in Islamabad, went on to say, “You’re here from 74 countries, from Brookline, Bolivia, Brazil, Indiana, Indonesia and my country, Pakistan. Stand up to truth. Don’t cave in to xenophobia and bigotry. Be better than that.

“As a parent I know raising kids is hard work, but your kids are in great hands,” Zaman assured the parents and family members in the arena. And to their children: “Now that you’re officially students at BU, let’s get started. Go and make the world a million times, that’s 10 to the 6th power, better.”

Jean Morrison, University provost and chief academic officer, introduced the deans, who welcomed students into BU’s Charles River Campus colleges.

With its traditional pomp, Matriculation is one of the oldest collegiate traditions. Faculty and administration wear academic dress, banners representing BU’s undergraduate schools and colleges are displayed, and the academic mace and the President’s Collar—both traditional symbols of the University’s authority—are a part of this landmark event. Matriculation is the first of only two occasions the Class of 2020 will gather in its entirety. The second will be in four years at Commencement. Brown reminded the students of this and urged them to begin preparing for that next big day.