The More Things Change . . .

If Ithaca Conservatory of Music founder and president W. Grant Egbert had welcomed the incoming students of 1899 with the headlines of the day, he could have spoken of international disarmament talks, trade relations with China, a large U.S. corporation facing antitrust charges, and the state of American education. Ithaca College’s entering class of 1999 was welcomed by current president Peggy R. Williams with just such headlines, helping her illustrate the adage "The more things change, the more they stay the same."

"As we reflect on these [headlines], we see that we have made significant advances in some areas," Williams told the gathering at the opening Convocation ceremony. "On the other hand, these headlines also teach us that some issues and challenges seem intractable — they linger and seem very difficult for us to resolve satisfactorily. Looking ahead, we know that many difficult and significant issues will continue to need the attention of society, this nation, and the world."

Williams focused her Convocation remarks on four such issues as they relate to higher education: demographics, technology, the development of leadership, and the need for a liberal education. The first two, she noted, have changed tremendously over the last century, while the latter two have held constant.

"When we look at higher education over the millennium and the century, the lasting value of liberal learning is obvious. Whatever your major program of study, the liberal learning component of your experience here is the common thread that unifies your Ithaca College education. It connects you with over 37,000 Ithaca College grads and with the students who entered Ithaca College in 1899.

"We know that you have accomplished much so far in your life — academically and in life outside of school," she continued. "Because of what we know, we know that you will succeed here at Ithaca College. There is nothing more fulfilling than to be challenged and to meet that challenge. I hope that your Ithaca College experience will offer you such a challenge and that each of you will rise to meet it."

In remarks to his fellow students, Student Government Association president Nick Tarant ’00 offered a piece of advice born of his own experience at Ithaca. "Don’t waste these four years. Now is the time when you can try anything and everything you ever even remotely thought of attempting, and get away with it even if it doesn’t pan out. The consequences are so much different than they’ll be in four years. What is Ithaca College? We are every team, every club, every class, every experiment, every party, every lecture, every person you might be interested in; and just by being a student you have the opportunity to experience just about all of it."

Board of trustees chairman Herman E. Muller Jr. ’51 noted that the 1,575 incoming students represent 40 states, 32 foreign countries, and over 1,000 high schools and 121 two-year and four-year colleges. He encouraged them to share with one another their talents, ideas, and perspectives, "for in a quality academic environment such as this, we learn from one another. Get to know the people here. Stop by and visit your professors. Seek new knowledge, explore new experiences in and out of the classroom, and take advantage of the many resources and opportunities that Ithaca has to offer."

The class of 2003 had one such opportunity immediately following Convocation: for the second year a picnic was held to bring together students, faculty, staff, and administrators and build a sense of community.