The Gordon Russell visiting professor in Native American Studies at Dartmouth, N. Bruce Duthu '80, was the keynote speaker alongside Dartmouth President James Wright and Student Body President Travis Green '08.
Duthu, whose speech was entitled "Reflections on Humility and Liberal Education," encouraged students and professors alike to embrace the ideals of modesty and humility at Dartmouth. Sprinkled with several anecdotes to reinforce his message, Duthu stressed that relationships between students and professors can be strengthened through mutual humility.
"I believe that humility is a necessary and vital component of the liberal education we endeavor to provide here at Dartmouth," Duthu said.
Duthu called humility a characteristic not frequently seen or discussed in modern culture or politics.
"Can you imagine the Beatles singing, 'All you need is humility?'" Duthu said. "Or Aretha Franklin belting out, 'H-U-M-I-L-I-T-Y?'"
He went on to mention that humility seems to be grouped with negative traits such as "weakness," and said that instead we need to start viewing the important quality in a positive light.
"Humility also means the absence of arrogance -- a posture of openness," Duthu said.
Duthu explained after the ceremony that he chose his theme because convocations he has attended in the past often tend to adopt an "elitist tone." Instead, he said he wanted to make to this year's freshman class aware that all of humanity shares commonalities.
Duthu said that he hoped his speech would convince students to rethink some of their choices while in college and take advantage of the variety of courses offered and the many service opportunities available.
"I would like to change how we approach things on the micro level, as students in a community, and on the macro level, as a nation bullying its way around the world," Duthu said.
At the ceremony, Green preceded Duthu with a speech imploring freshmen to shape themselves as individuals in the Dartmouth community.
"You don't have to conform to what you were in high school," Green said. "Be who you want to be."
Wright concluded the proceedings with a speech focused on welcoming the incoming students, but also touched on the College's history of diversity. After noting Dartmouth's advances in diversity, including that it was the first Ivy League school to admit an African-American student, Wright beseeched the members of the freshman class to "embrace diversity."
Green also touched on the subject of diversity while mentioning the many advantages students now have at Dartmouth.
"Unlike those white, male, preaching New Englanders and their founding Native American counterparts, you have potential friends from all walks of life, from all ranges of experience, and from all over the world," Green said.
A procession of professors donning colorful gowns opened the ceremony, accompanied by the New England Brass Concert playing "Two Trumpet Tunes" by Henry Purcell. Each speaker was introduced by College Provost Barry Scherr.
Wright ended his remarks as he does each year.
"Now we turn enthusiastically to our task," he said. "We have work to do, you and I -- and it is time to begin."
