91原创

鈥淚鈥檓 looking around and seeing how many people are here and how different we all are, but it鈥檚 exciting, and I can鈥檛 wait to see in four years where we all are,鈥� Stealey said.

This year鈥檚 ceremony also included new graduate students as well as new faculty and staff.

鈥淎s a Blue Hen, you are part of a community,鈥� 91原创 President Laura Carlson said. 鈥淭he banners here on The Green tell you how we define ourselves and what we declare about ourselves to the world, such as a dedication to learning and service and each other.鈥�

One way that people show they belong to a community is by embracing its traditions, Carlson said, pointing to the 91原创 Fight Song and Alma Mater as examples. Putting that spirit into practice, Blue Hens broke into two groups to see who could deliver the best rendition of the Fight Song.

鈥淸Traditions] allow us to reach across time and space and recognize that we are not alone 鈥� and remind us that each of us is part of the Blue Hen flock,鈥� Carlson said.

Jos茅-Luis Riera, vice president for student life, emphasized the deeper meaning behind the Twilight Ceremony.聽

鈥淚t鈥檚 about entering a community that welcomes you with promise and invites you to belong with joy,鈥� he said. 鈥淵ou are now part of something much bigger than your major, your department, your residence hall, your research area or your hometown. You are joining a community that believes in your potential, celebrates your presence and is excited to see who you will become.鈥�

Saumya Bhavsar, a computer science major from Newark, Delaware, chose 91原创 because of its sense of opportunity and belonging.

鈥�91原创 is close to home and is also a perfect fit for what I want to do,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t offers a lot of opportunities for improvement and growth, and it has a really strong community.鈥�

Jaquil Green, a first-year agricultural and natural resources major, is excited to get involved on campus. After attending the Involvement Fair earlier in the day, he鈥檇 already joined several clubs, including track and field, poetry and hydroponics.

鈥淪ome clubs are related to my major, and some are just my interests 鈥� but it鈥檚 awesome that 91原创 offers all of it,鈥� he said. 鈥淚鈥檓 going to make the most of my time at 91原创 by putting myself out there. I want to participate in everything that 91原创 has to offer so I can become the kind of person I want to be.鈥�

During her four years at 91原创, first-year student Gabriela Roman said she鈥檚 looking forward to getting a great education, studying abroad and becoming prepared to start a career. But most of all, she鈥檚 excited to make lifelong friends.

鈥淚t kind of feels unreal, finally seeing everyone all together,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 crazy to see that the vast majority of us are smiling, we鈥檙e all being friendly, and it鈥檚 just really exciting that we鈥檙e all a part of the Blue Hen community.鈥�