Encouraging words as school comes back in session

Good morning – on behalf of The Ohio State University at Lima I would like to warmly welcome you to the first day of the 2024-2025 academic year. My name is Meggie Young, and I have the distinct pleasure of serving as the dean of the Lima campus. 

Today marks the beginning of your incredible journey. Today, you become a student at The Ohio State University – and in doing so, you become a part of our remarkable Buckeye community. You join one of the oldest and most recognizable institutions in the US and in a few short years, you will become a member of one of the largest and most active alumni organizations in the world. But more than that, today you become part of our Ohio State Lima community. 

This campus offered its first classes more than 6 decades ago with the dream of developing the next generation of leaders who would transform our communities and our world. All these many years later, we are thrilled to welcome the next generation of buckeyes and future to our campus. 

Throughout your time on this campus, you will be guided by renowned faculty- celebrated teachers and researchers. We have professors who have won the university’s most prestigious teaching awards, and those who find innovative ways to connect the learning taking place in the classroom with the wider community. In addition to their excellent teaching, many of our faculty have active research programs generating new knowledge that allows us to better understand the world we live in. But perhaps equally important, and maybe even more so, our faculty have a heartfelt, genuine desire to help and support you. They have been where you sit, have embraced learning, and are one of your most valuable resources. 

You’ll also be supported by our staff who are committed to helping you achieve your dreams. Some of our staff you already know – they were with you at orientation and assisted you as you made the decision to attend Ohio State Lima. Others have been hard at work making our campus look so beautiful. Still others you’ll meet as you continue your journey here. Please reach out to our staff – they are genuinely invested in seeing you grow, succeed, and make the most of your time with us. 

We are grateful to have several of our advisory board members with us today too – these community members are also here to support you as you begin your OSU degree. 

Given that you’re embarking on this new journey - It’s possible – or probable - that you heard lots of advice about how to succeed and what you need to do while you’re here – and I’m afraid I’m going to continue that trend for just a few minutes – so bear with me. I’ve been a student, a faculty member, or an administrator for the better part of 20 years, and I’d love to share with you two ideas that I have found helpful. 

First, develop your curiosity. Albert Einstein believed the most important thing was to never stop questioning. There is joy to be found when we learn something new. 

This time at OSU affords you the opportunity to learn deeply about yourself and the wider world around you. You will get to learn about completely new developments in fields you maybe didn’t know existed. You will read about new inventions, innovative people, and so many areas of the world. You’ll also read about familiar problems and stories – but from new perspectives. You’ll meet new people, explore new disciplines and discover new passions. 

This is the time to ask questions – try out for the play, join or start a club, make new friends, and even try new food. There is no better time than now to try something new. I’m not just asking you to be curious outside of the classroom, I’m talking about your classes too. As an instructor, we welcome your questions, and we enjoy discussions with our students. Take a class that’s not required for your major – find a minor that you like, try your hand at research or take a service-learning class. 

These encounters with new ideas and fields may lead you to change your major. That’s fine. I changed my major several times before I discovered my true passion. Discovering new interests and skills is part of the university experience. 

I urge you to keep yourself open to changing your mind and expanding your understanding of yourself and the world. Keep in mind – your Ohio State education does not just prepare you for a job, it will prepare you for a life. The university motto is education for citizenship and that’s what we hope you will become – engaged citizens in this ever-evolving global community. 

My second piece of advice is – be persistent. 

Several years ago, I had the pleasure of Reading Angela Duckworth’s seminal work on the practice of grit, and I came across her Ted talk recently while mindlessly scrolling on Instagram. I was reminded how helpful and relevant her work is to the precipice you all find yourself on today. 

For those of you unfamiliar with grit – it is born out of the need to understand success – beyond one’s talent or intelligence. In fact, according to Duckworth’s research – grit (which she defined as passion and perseverance for long-term goals) was the single greatest predictor of success. That being said, grit is not just about stubborn persistence, it’s about choosing the right goals and finding help and support when and where you need it. Simply put I ask you to never give up – on your academic studies or on yourself. Dig deep, stay determined.

So, ask questions, and ask for help when you need it. Visit our Heath Learning Center where you can work with tutors who can help you work through complex math problems or work on your writing skills. Visit counseling and consultation services -this transition to college is both exciting and demanding - so take advantage of the free services we offer. Reach out to your faculty and Talk to your classmates – they’re going through this experience alongside you, and they may have ideas that y’all can share to ensure your success. There is nothing that would thrill me more than to witness the creation of a community of gritty buckeyes. 

You all made the incredible decision to pursue a degree from Ohio State and in doing so, you chose to grow, evolve, change, struggle and succeed. Use the challenges you face as opportunities to learn and opportunities to grow. Success is not a one-time event; it is decision we make to continue learning and growing as we move closer to our ultimate goal. 

So please, develop your curiosity and focus on your goals. If you do that, then I promise you that your time on this campus will be meaningfully spent. And in a few short years, we’ll be celebrating a different milestone, the culmination of your education at Ohio State Lima with your graduation. But for now, soak it all in. This is the start of something incredible and we (the faculty, staff, and advisory board members) will be there to support and encourage you all along the way. I’m proud of you and I look so very forward to watching you succeed!

Good morning, everyone, to every new face, new ideas, and new futures. And most importantly, welcome to your next stop in the journey of your lives at THEE Ohio State University at Lima. 

I know what it can be like to be sitting in these spots, especially wondering “why is this random guy speaking not into this microphone”. Well let’s get the “random” out of the way. My name is Jose Jones and I am beginning my third year studying Theatre at Ohio State Lima. 

I remember my deans’ convocation like it was two years ago, because it was, in fact, two years ago. When I was sitting in that chair, or was it that chair?… Anyways, as I was sitting there, I began to process this new adventure that I was about to be on, here at Ohio State Lima -- wondering what new friends I could make, where my new classes would be, how will I ever find my place in this school. But let me take the time now by saying that Ohio State Lima is the first “stop” in finding your first “go”.  

Looking back, I sought out and completed everything that I wanted to do in high school – I graduated with honors, sang in choir and countless musicals and even the schools a capella group, and even got to play out my own “High School Musical” by trying to juggle football and Theatre for the first three years, I knew by senior year, I wanted to take a chance at a new path in my life that I would have no regrets with. 

I came into Ohio State Lima with the exact same mindset. Trying new paths with no regrets. Every time a new path would open, I wouldn’t think twice about taking a few steps forward.  

College is a time filled with opportunities and adventures that you never knew you needed to try. Over the past two years, I have found myself involved in student clubs like the Art Club, the Campus Activities Board, and Student Senate. On top of that, I have been a part of many organizational events, the 2023 Homecoming Court, and of course children shows as well as Plays and Musicals alike all while working three different jobs and doing school full time. And that is not even the tip of the iceberg of the things you’ll see and experience here at Ohio State Lima.  

This is a new beginning and you get to take those new steps with no regrets. And with every step you make, you shape who you are while building a pathway for a future…YOUR future. So don’t forget to look at your emails, look at the flyers around campus. Ask your professors how you can learn more. Heck, you can even talk to me if you happen to bump into me on campus, I always wished to have that hand from a fellow peer, and luckily, my hands are open, and pretty soft thanks to my coconut lotion. There are so many opportunities you just have to reach out and go for it.  You get to choose who you want to be. 

It is an absolute honor that you have chosen THEE Ohio State University to continue your academic journey. That “THEE” isn’t there just to be loud and proud, it is there for you guys to make it loud and proud. At Ohio State Thee means we and we can accomplish so much more together.  Ohio State will become not only a trademark in your lives, but also a community, and a family. And as a Buckeye, there is something that I know most of you know of very well. So let’s give it a try …O-H………I-O.  

And now this time, I want you to put everything into it, I want you guys to do it this time and think about your fresh start, think about your fresh mindset, and think about this fresh beginning of a long-awaited adventure. let’s get some energy up in here! O-H…..I-O 

Welcome New Buckeyes. Welcome to your new school. Welcome to your new opportunity to take those new steps, thank you.   

Welcome to Ohio State Lima! My name is Robin Bagley, and I am one of our Biology professors on campus. It is my honor to play a small part in welcoming you to our campus today, especially to our newest Buckeyes as you take your first steps on this exciting journey. And what a journey it will be! 

A big part of that journey will, of course, be hitting the books. Let’s be real, we all know that everyone is here to learn the content knowledge and skills that will equip you for the futures you are dreaming of. I’m sure you have and will continue over the next few weeks hear about how important your formal education, your grades, your performance, etc. are to your future. So I’m not going to harp on that here, aside from adding another voice supporting the importance of investing in your studies. 

Instead, I’d like to talk about how important it is to invest in YOU, the person, beyond or in addition to YOU, the student. 

To be the best version of yourself in the classroom, you need to take care of YOU. Self-care can take many forms. Spend time with your friends and family. Make new friends in your classes or a campus club. Treat yourself to your favorite Starbucks or Bigby coffee, grab a treat from a bakery, or cook your favorite meal at your home. Read a book (for fun, not school!), watch a show, or visit a movie theatre. Make time to continue your existing hobbies, or perhaps explore new ones. Pursue your interests outside of your major – just because you are a future doctor, teacher, or lawyer doesn’t mean you have to stop making and enjoying art! 

Like most journeys, at some times your road will be challenging. In those times, it may feel impossible to make time for YOU the person. It might feel like YOU the student is the only part of YOU that is left! In those moments, it is important to reach out to the many forms of support that exist in your life. Your friends and family, some of whom may be here with you today, will be important resources in those times. Your classmates, who remember will be in largely the same boat as you, may also be a good source of help. And of course, you can and should take advantage of the amazing staff and faculty here around you. They are experts in their fields of study and areas of experience, but beyond that they are also great humans who have once been where you will be.

Believe it or not, we don’t just crawl into the ceiling tiles or burrow down in our offices at night. You might even see us at the grocery store or mall. Say hello – we don’t bite! Or at least I don’t. Seriously though, I am confident in stating that each and every one us are rooting for you, and furthermore, and invested in your success. One of the things I have always encouraged my students to do is to make a  “professor friend” – someone you can reach out to, to ask all of the weird questions you  might have about forms and applications and requirements and prerequisites and all of the minutiae you encounter while going to college. I myself was a first-generation college student, and I quite honestly had no idea what I was doing on many occasions. It is only because I took advantage of the support of others that I was able to find my way, and indeed I continue to lean on others as I continue my own academic journey to this day. We all need help sometimes, so please, when it is your time, let us help YOU the student regain your footing so that YOU the person can flourish. 

I don’t mean to make it sound like the next four-ish years of your life will be nothing but potholes and challenges though, because college is also a time that can and should be full of fun! You’re going to learn more about your passions in courses for your major, be excited by the possibilities offered in your general education courses, and see the many connections between fields as you complete your degrees and pursue hands-on training, internships, and first jobs. You will rock the exam you are worried about, you’ll ace that report, and nail the presentation. Outside of class, you are going to meet so many people around campus, some of whom may become life-long friends and colleagues. This is also a perfect time to let yourself take chances – try the new food, dance the new dance, wear the Halloween costume (for extra credit, if you happen to be in any of my classes!), and take the field trip! Pursue your studies but never forget to also live your life. 

Okay, I’d like to end our short time together here with an excerpt of a classic for times of great changes like these – Oh The Places You’ll Go by Dr. Seuess, with a couple of edits for this new group of Buckeyes:

“On you will go though the weather be foul
On you will go though your enemies prowl 
On you will go though [the Wolverines] howl
Onward up many a frightening creek
Though your arms may get sore
And your scarlet red sneakers may leak
On and on you will hike and I know you’ll hike far 
and face up to your problems whatever they are
You’ll get mixed up of course, as you already know, 
you’ll get mixed up with many strange birds as you go
So be sure as you step
Step with great care and great tact
And remember that Life’s a Great Balancing Act
Just never forget to be dexterous and deft
And NEVER mix up your right foot with your left
And will you succeed? 
Yes!  You will indeed!
98 and ¾ percent guaranteed! 
[A personal aside here – I actually still don’t know my lefts from my rights, and hey, look at me I’m a college professor! So just imagine what you can do!]
KID YOU’LL MOVE MOUNTAINS
So be your name Buckeye or Brutus or Bray
Or Mordecai Ali Van Allen O’Shea
You’re off to Great places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting
So get on your way!

Thank you again, and I can’t wait to see your first steps towards your mountain.