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THIS IS YOUR MOMENT: FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS COMMIT TO EXCELLENCE DURING XAVERIAN WELCOME
“ is is your moment.” at was the message StFX President Dr. Andy Hakin delivered to the incoming Class of 2022, who gathered in black robes in the University Chapel Sept. 18, 2022 for the Xaverian Welcome ceremony. e ceremony is one of three important institutional occasions during one’s time at StFX, where all new students are invited to commit to a life of thought and service as they join the Xaverian community. e commitment is renewed during the students’ senior year, during the X-Ring ceremony and at Convocation.
“ is is indeed a rare moment, a moment you as an individual can start a blank page,” Dr. Hakin said as he told students we’re gathered at StFX on a shared mission to produce citizens who change the world.
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“You must, must engage,” he encouraged. “ is is a moment in which you must be bold.”
Education, he says, serves as that gold key that will open many doors. But it is up to you to take larger steps, to push yourself.
“You are Xaverians. at means stepping up to a di erent level of interaction,” Dr. Hakin said. “Let those Xaverian values shine.”
It was a message reiterated by Students’ Union president Brendan Roberts.
“Today you have a chance to think about who you want to be when you leave this university,” he told the incoming class.
StFX Chaplain Fr. Donald MacGillivray ’79 added many would say StFX is a special place marked by a unique thing called the Xaverian Spirit. What is this spirit, he asked? It can be summed up in two words: Friendship and service. e Xaverian Spirit is fueled by the friends made, the shared experiences, the community found at StFX. It’s also about service. Since StFX was founded, our forebearers believed we receive an education not only for ourselves, but what we can o er to the world, he said.
Academic Vice-President and Provost Dr. Amanda Cockshutt noted how the ceremony introduces the incoming class to academia and to Xaverian values. is time of transition to university is one of the few opportunities in life to do things di erently, she said as she encouraged students to take advantage of this opportunity to discover their passions academically and as a member of the community. “I wish you all the best in your university experience.”
