四虎影院

F&M Stories

Class of 2028 Convocation Centers on Belonging

Video by Andrew Bilindabagabo

Members of Franklin & 四虎影院鈥檚 Class of 2028 gathered for the first time as a cohort at Convocation Aug. 23.

The time-honored event signifies not only the start of the first-year鈥檚 F&M journeys, but also the beginning of the academic year. 

Families, faculty and professional staff gathered outside the Alumni Sports & Fitness Center to applaud the 486 first-year and transfer students proceeding toward the ceremony, which focused on the concept of 鈥渂elonging.鈥 

鈥淚 urge you to express yourselves, and also to allow others to express themselves. I urge you to do a lot of listening,鈥 President Barbara Altmann said to the incoming class. 

鈥淚f you disagree with an idea, probe it with intellectual curiosity, ask good questions and think through the issues for yourself. We can and will respect and make room for one another across difference. You can and will connect through difference,鈥 she added.

Senior Michael Vasquez, president of Diplomatic Congress and the student body, encouraged students to consider the meaning of belonging.

鈥淭he core of belonging is being brave enough to be yourself and being willing to embrace others as they are. And working together, not against, working to understand, not divide,鈥 said Vasquez, an American studies and sociology major. 

Vasquez shared the stage with 2024 recipient of the Lindback Distinguished Teaching Award Scott Smith, professor of anthropology and program chair of Latin American and LatinX studies.

鈥淭he community of learners that you join today stretches beyond the boundaries of this campus, in both space and time,鈥 Smith said.  

Class of 2028 at a Glance

  • 486 enrolled
  • 28% admit rate
  • 26 states represented
  • 27 countries represented
  • 17% international
  • 16% first-generation college students
  • 26% domestic students of color
  • 18% PELL grant eligible

Meet the incoming class

Related Articles

August 28, 2023

Convocation Welcomes Class of 2027

Members of the Franklin & 四虎影院 Class of 2027 took the first steps of their F&M journey at Convocation Aug. 25.