On the day after they moved into the Honors College on August 29, more than 500 Honors College students gathered together for the first time to officially become our newest members—the Rutgers Honors College Class of 2027!
During the Induction Ceremony, students were welcomed by J.D. Bowers, Dean of the Honors College, who spoke about living life fully and showing up for each other, and Krista Klein, Acting Associate Dean, who spoke about the power of community so that all students have the opportunity to thrive. Students then met the Honors College staff who make up their deep network of support and heard words of encouragement from our new Honors College Faculty Fellows Nicole Burrowes, Chloë Kitzinger, Trip McCrossin, and Kristen Syrett.
Intended to help students understand the Honors College mission and values, introduce them to staff and faculty support, and foster connections among our students in building a safe and inclusive community, the ceremony included a Fireside Chat with Honors College student leaders who shared their experiences—the great and the good, but also their challenges and how they overcame them through leaning on their Honors College community.
They then took part in the Honors College tradition of writing a postcard to someone they do not yet know—themselves, four years from now. Those postcards will be returned to them when they prepare to graduate and receive their recognition as Honors College Scholars, having fulfilled all that is required for this distinguished designation.
Among our special guests were Honors College supporters who shared best wishes for students—Wishing you a great college experience and a fulfilling future!—and also their wisdom and advice for success:
- Be curious—get out and explore everything Rutgers and the New Brunswick Community have to offer—get involved outside your comfort zone!
- You are the author of your own success! Ambition can’t wait!
- Life rarely goes as expected but it will be wonderful either way.
As the ceremony came to a close, students joined in taking the Honors College Pledge:
Where there is something to learn, I will explore.
Where there is a new voice, I will listen.
Where there is a need, I will help.
Each of their unique Honors College journeys over these next four years and beyond will be filled with enriched experiences and unparalleled opportunities to explore our mission as encapsulated in our motto—Curiosity. Knowledge. Purpose. The goal? That they may ultimately build lives and careers with purpose.
We look forward to all that they will contribute to ours and the greater Rutgers community over these coming years—their creativity in navigating challenges, the knowledge and the wonderful applications of it that they will discover, their deep caring for each other and others through community and service, and their contributions to the greater good. As our Dean and others before him have said, “I have seen the future and it is bright.”