First-Year Students Receive Copies of Just Mercy at Chancellor’s Convocation

The Class of 2019 was welcomed today at the Chancellor’s Convocation, held at the Kohl Center. This year’s theme was “Be the Change,” and those speaking at the ceremony urged the newest class of Badgers – and all other students, faculty, and staff – to become leaders in creating a more equal and fair society.

First-year students were given a copy of this year’s Go Big Read book, Bryan Stevenson’s Just Mercy, upon exiting the Kohl Center by faculty and staff.

The ceremony was hosted by Aaron Bird Bear, interim assistant dean for student diversity programs in the School of Education, and speakers included Chancellor Rebecca Blank, poet and student Hiwot Adilow, and Patrick J. Sims, who is the vice provost for diversity and climate and a professor of theatre and drama.