Emory Report
August 31, 2009
Volume 62, Number 2


   

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August 31, 2009
Soundbites

Convocation serves tradition
The Aug. 25 Convocation ceremony welcomed the Class of 2013 with timeless traditions, including the “ah”-eliciting chemical transformation of the gold and blue. Music professor Dwight Andrews’ lesson in experiential jazz proved why his classes are so popular: “You know at Emory, you have to be hip. I’m here to see that you’re not rhythmically challenged.”

President Jim Wagner noted that Emory’s mission is not to serve “just the success of individuals but the service of all humanity.”

Describing students’ place in the Emory community, he said, “By contributing to this community and its further growth, let me assure you that you will be supported by it. In the Emory community, there is no problem to be faced that needs to be faced alone. “ —Leslie King

Are you a parent of a college student?
The transition from high school senior to college freshman is not just a challenge for students, but also for parents. To help ease parental anxiety, psychology professor Marshall Duke presented at orientation “Parenting a College Student: What To Expect,” a lecture he has delivered for nearly 25 years.

Duke advised parents on topics such as expecting college freshman to have lower GPAs at first, and advice such as this: “The temptation is to intervene when a child calls home with a problem. Remember that many resources exist at college to help students cope with various situations. Express support, but give your children time to solve their own problems.” —Tania Dowdy

From U.N. refugee to U.N. ambassador
At a July speech for the Halle Institute, His Excellency Sichan Siv recounted his escape from Cambodia’s killing fields in 1976 and his journey thereafter.

The former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations’ remarks included how he came to speak at the UN’s 60th anniversary, following a number of U.S. presidents.

“It was really quite a humbling experience to be walking in the footsteps of those historical figures, but I was chosen because my life intertwined with the United Nations,” said Siv, who was cared for by the U.N. High Commission for Refugees when he was a refugee in Thailand.

Siv said speaking in the Woodruff Library was a “very special touch” for him. “When I was growing up in Cambodia, I spent a lot of time in libraries,” he said. —Leslie King