Office of the President

President's Address to New Students

The following remarks were made by President Robert L. Caret at the New Student Convocation on August 24, 2007.

Welcome Class of 2011!

A convocation is a gathering of people for a special purpose. Our special purpose today is to welcome you to Towson University. You will hear Towson University referred to as Maryland’s Metropolitan University. Our status as a Metropolitan University means Towson has a special mission to serve a diverse urban and metropolitan population through economic development, social progress, and business and community outreach. Because of this special role, our students have many opportunities to apply classroom learning to real life situations in the community. Our special mission depends upon you–our students–to bring it to life. 

You are about to embark on a great adventure–an adventure that can and will change your lives. You won’t be alone on this journey. Look around you today. There are more than 4,300 new students! (2,700 freshmen; 1,600 new transfers)

Many people shared my journey, the journey that brought me to this stage today.

I grew up in Biddeford, Maine. It was a small town, and we didn’t think much about our career paths there.  I wasn’t especially focused on my studies.  But several of my teachers challenged me to think big, and with their support and guidance, I went on to college.  I was fortunate to have professors there who continued to encourage my efforts, and I became a chemistry teacher, then a college professor, the dean of the science department, provost and now president.  From Biddeford, Maine to Boston, from Boston to Durham, New Hampshire, from New Hampshire to Towson, from Towson to San Jose, California and back to Towson….I couldn’t have done it without the support of my community – my mentors, colleagues, friends and family.  It took hard work, some luck, and people who cared about me.

Your group is the size of a small town, but today you become a part of an even greater community – the community of Towson University.  Like all communities, ours has a culture and a set of community values. We value civility, pride, open-mindedness, and civic engagement.  We value and encourage your participation as an active citizen in this community. 

There are many ways to participate and engage with our community. Here are just a few examples.

Towson is an active partner with "The New York Times" and the American Democracy Project.  Our goal is to produce graduates who understand and are committed to engaging in meaningful actions as citizens in a democracy. "The New York Times" newspaper has been used by faculty in more than 50 classes, and students can pick up free copies around campus. 

One of the greatest privileges we have in a democratic society is the right to vote. Last year, during our student-led Get Out the Vote initiative, 2,059 students registered to vote in the 2007 general elections. It was an amazing turn-out and a source of civic pride for Towson University.

Students are spearheading a Go Green initiative to support our institutional efforts to carefully maintain our campus and community environment. You can learn more on Saturday during a special Towson Goes Green orientation session. Last year, students were enthusiastically involved in the Adopt-A-Campus campaign. Individuals and groups can adopt designated areas of campus and pledge to remove litter and debris to keep our campus safe, environmentally friendly and beautiful.

The campus is a wonderful haven.  But we want you to be involved in experiences that challenge your abilities, expand your horizons, and expose you to real world issues. So you might actually have to leave campus now and then!  We want to show our community partners that Towson students can work collaboratively to solve problems and make a positive impact. You’ll have options for service learning, internships, study abroad, volunteering, and alternative spring breaks. Take advantage of them!  That’s what an education is all about–developing yourself as a whole person. Understand your role in society. Meet challenges with an open mind, free of preconceived notions. Use what you learn to improve your campus, your community, and your world.  That’s what it means to be a part of something larger than yourself…a member of the Towson University community.

Office of the President
Administration Building, Room 331

Phone: 410-704-2356
Fax: 410-704-3488