Just as his first year as the university’s leader starts, Indiana University Northwest Chancellor Arrick Jackson welcomed new students to school on Monday.
“This journey we’re embarking on together has so many possibilities ahead,” Jackon said. “You’ll explore uncharted adventures, forge meaningful friendships, and develop and grow within your own unique learning experiences. But perhaps, the most important is you will discover new ways to think because in higher education, we don’t just teach subjects, we teach people to think about thinking itself.”
IUN hosted its Redhawk Induction Ceremony on Monday, which invited incoming students to a ceremony to celebrate the beginning of their college experience. Participating faculty were dressed in commencement regalia and presented students with a lapel pin to show they are officially IUN students.
The induction ceremony is held at the beginning of each academic year as the incoming class’ formal introduction to the university, Jackson said Monday. IUN’s fall semester started Monday, according to the university’s website.
Jackson highlighted different accomplishments IUN students have received to inspire those attending the ceremony to take advantage of every opportunity.
“They’ve secured prestigious internships … and they’ve traveled halfway around the world to China for a transformative study abroad experience,” Jackson said. “Here’s what I need you to understand: The same level of success is just as possible for you at IUN. It is waiting for you.”
During the induction ceremony, Jackson played a welcome video by Indiana University President Pamlea Whitten.
“We are incredibly excited that you’re here,” Whitten said in the video. “Your IU journey starts today. You’ll have the chance to research big questions, impact your community, gain skills and knowledge through internships, meet lifelong friends and take part in on-campus traditions.”
During the ceremony, new students also heard from Natalie Vega-Finn, director of academic advising, who is an IUN graduate. Vega-Finn is a Northwest Indiana native who graduated from Hammond High School, she said Monday, and she graduated from IUN in 1998.
Vega-Finn shared a story about her IUN experience, explaining that she started as a biology major who planned to go to medical school after her undergraduate education. Through her undergraduate years, Vega-Finn realized medical school wasn’t the path she wanted to take, and opportunities at IUN helped her learn what she was meant for instead.
“I say this to demonstrate that you might not have all the answers today,” Vega-Finn said. “You might want to change your mind on what you want to be or what you want to pursue. You might do this once, twice, sometimes even three times, and that’s OK.”
Vega-Finn sees IUN not as her alma mater or workplace but as a family and a place that has shaped her into who she is, she said Monday.
“My work revolves around student success and advising, and at heart, this is about connection with the students,” Vega-Finn said. “It’s about meeting students where they are, whether they’re brimming with confidence or quietly doubting themselves, and then walking beside them as they each step toward their goals.”
New students also heard from Min Mahmood, a third-year pre-medical neuroscience student at the induction ceremony. Mahmood talked about her IUN experience and how the university has helped change her since she started school.
Mahmood has taken advantage of each opportunity possible, she said Monday, including the student government association, chemistry club, and psychology and brain science club.
“Every opportunity I’ve had … hasn’t just been personal,” Mahmood said. “It’s also been about using what I’ve learned to help others, to lift someone else up and make a difference, because at the end of the day, the purpose of these experiences is to make you a better student and a better person.”
Mahmood encouraged incoming students to think about how they can make campus better and to create strong relationships with their peers, mentors and the community.
“Welcome to IUN,” Mahmood said. “You’re not just here for a degree, you’re here to grow, connect and you’re already taking the first step by being here today. I can’t wait to see how you all shape this campus in your own unique way.”
mwilkins@chicagotribune.com
