University of Oklahoma President David Boren and various faculty members welcomed a record-breaking freshman class at OU’s 2017 convocation.
The class of 2021, received at the 5 p.m. Aug. 17 ceremony, is OU’s largest and highest-ranked class, with approximately 4,500 students. Boren said in his address that one-tenth of the freshmen graduated high school with a 4.0 GPA, and 314 of them are National Merit Scholars, which is the most ever within a freshman class.
Boren: OU is 1st public university to have enrolled more Nat'l Merit Scholars in their freshman yr than any public/ private school. #OU2021
— Emma Keith (@shakeitha_97) August 17, 2017
Boren also noted that the event was OU’s best-attended convocation, and that the Aug. 17 official freshmen move-in was OU’s largest move-in thus far. His address emphasized OU’s academic and athletic achievements, and encouraged students to become involved, form relationships and pursue new ideas.
“If you ever doubt yourself… remember where you are,” Boren said. “Remember you’re in a place that has a history of believing in possibilities.”
Boren in closing: "Seize this moment, take advantage of it; start to define your lives."
— Emma Keith (@shakeitha_97) August 17, 2017
Accompanying Boren’s address were introductions and remarks from Clarke Stroud, OU vice president for student affairs and dean of students, Kyle Harper, senior vice president and provost, and Student Government Association President J.D. Baker. Several members of The Pride of Oklahoma also led new OU students in OU chants and cheers.
Baker: "Character is what truly defines a Sooner." #OU2021
— Emma Keith (@shakeitha_97) August 17, 2017
