On July 30^th, a chilly Friday morning, 60 students dressed in black and white took their seats in the Keri Campus auditorium to represent their #ClassOf2024 peers in the 2020 Convocation ceremony.

The New Students’ Convocation Ceremony for the 2020 intakes formally welcomed the students into the Strathmore University community. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic that presented numerous challenges in 2020, the ceremony could not be held until now.

Experience for the history books

These Stratizens will go down in history as the first ever first-year class to begin their academic life through online platforms. For this, they become the most digitally savvy class the University has had. For many of them, this semester has been their first time to experience the campus atmosphere, sit in the classrooms, have group-work syndicates at the gazebos, enjoy a meal at the Student Centre, and visit our chapels and other facilities.

To warm them up were messages from the outgoing Student Council President, Don Kamoya, Vanessa Lubira Inziani, a 2017 Bachelor of Business Information Technology alumna, Dr. Godfrey Madigu, Dean, Strathmore Institute of Mathematical Science, Dr. Elizabeth Gachenga, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic and Student Affairs, and Dr. Vincent Ogutu, Vice Chancellor Designate. Each of the speakers used their personality and unique style to impart wisdom and to paint a picture of the opportunities and hurdles the students should expect.

“While at Strathmore, spend time investing in your professional development, as well as your cultural, physical, mental, and spiritual growth. You are blank canvases, each different and respectfully so. Don’t try to be like everyone else. Don’t be afraid to be yourself; if you’re to paint this blank canvas, paint it with your authentic self,” Dr. Ogutu encouraged them.

Speaking on behalf of the Deans, Dr. Madigu emphasized, “You are more than an admission number. We are interested in who you are and the person you will become.” Dr. Gachenga presented the class representatives with a quick quiz: Who owns Strathmore? with the choices being (a) Opus Dei (b) Strathmore Educational Registered Trustees (SERT) c) Dean of Students, Paul Ochieng’.  Majority of the votes went to (a), and with a humorous touch, (c), thus missing out on the correct answer, (b).

Go make memories!

With this ceremony, each of the students will now receive a “Class of 2024” pin and an academic cord as memorabilia, which they are to retain until their day of graduation. Through the ceremony, the students were also officially introduced to the rigorous academic life of the University and the opportunities, responsibilities and resources of the Strathmore University that will assist them in connecting with the community of their peers and the larger SU community.

The start of something is always remembered, especially when one takes a glance back while at the finish line. To the #Classof2024, remember that even the greatest were beginners. We are proud that you’ve began your Strathmore journey. The next three years will be filled with fun moments, pressure to hand in an assignment, jubilations for helping your team win, the making of lifelong friendships and much more. Go make memories!

 

This article was written by Wambui Gachari.  

 

What’s your story? We’d like to hear it. Contact us via communications@strathmore.edu