Induction impressions

Dalhousie University's Beadle Asa Kachan carries the mace during Sunday's Induction ceremony. (Pearce photo)

Nothing is as exciting as Orientation Week for a new student at university. In heavy contrast, it would be difficult to come up with something that sounds more tedious than an “Induction Ceremony” with not one, not two, but five speakers.

On the first evening of Orientation Week at Dalhousie (and consequently my first day at Dal as well), those hideously boring words dragged down the schedule.

Like a true Nova Scotian university, Dal kicked off the ceremony with the wail of bagpipes. I entered the Dalhousie Arts Centre alongside my fellow freshmen, all bottled up nerves and excitement. As we entered, each new student received a class pen, a notepad, and a Nova Scotia tartan scarf along with the program for the ceremony. Things were looking up.

Then the bagpipes started again. A procession walked down the aisle through the audience led by the Beadle, the bearer of the Dalhousie University Mace (which I learned has an extensive history). Behind the Beadle, clad in academic costume (medieval garb that also has important historical meaning), came some important Dalhousie staffers and a few notable Haligonians who were dressed normally.

For a moment I thought I had arrived at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Once the pompous procession was seated and all Dalhousie University weapons were safely out of sight, Dr. Tom Traves, president of the university, made his opening remarks. Dr. Traves’ enthusiasm at seeing the new class, along with our own excitement, was beyond moving. While Dr. Traves talked about the bright future ahead of the freshman class and introduced the important people present at the ceremony, I couldn’t help but feel as though I was invincible, like the entire world was mine for the taking. (And Dr. Traves did sort of remind me of Professor Dumbledore).

Richard Goldbloom, the Chancellor of Dalhousie University — and by far the man with the most fabulous evening gown —  gave the induction itself. Dr. Goldbloom stressed the social side of university life and all of the great friends we would make at Dal. Then he swore the class in. After we said a solemn “I do,” he made a joke about pronouncing us all man and wife.

After the induction, Mike Tipping, the President of the Dalhousie Student Union, gave his welcome. The first thing he said was, “Feel free to Facebook me.” That’s all I remember from his speech.

Then Dalhousie Student Union Vice President, Courtney Larkin, welcomed the keynote speaker, Dr. Thomas J. Duck, a professor with the Department of Physics and Atmospheric Sciences.

Professor Tom Duck with his seize-the-day speech. (Pearce photo)

As I was still trying to figure out what Dr. Thomas J. Duck did for a living, he walked up to the podium and started talking. In his speech, Dr. Duck started by explaining what he called the “well-known path to success.” This is the path that starts with university, then the “mystical piece of paper” (I guess he means a diploma), followed by ideas, and finally profit (which is in this case synonymous with success).

He tore this model apart, first by explaining that many of the world’s most successful people turned their ideas into profit at a very young age. He also used the example of his own research project to explain that Dalhousie University was a place where new research keeps people (both profs and students) on the brink of innovation. I think Dr. Duck was trying to say that the means can be just as fulfilling as the ends.

Finally, Dr. Duck introduced his model for success. First you invest in yourself (in this case by going to Dalhousie); you discover the unexpected (which might come in the form of a new interest, or maybe even a new passion); you embrace the challenge; and finally, you seize the opportunity. After Dr. Duck’s speech, everyone sang O Canada and then the bagpipes started again and the Beadle led the gold-and-black-garbed procession out of the auditorium.

While I am just a naïve freshman and this ceremony was just that – a ceremony – I found that it offered quite a bit more. For me, it symbolized the beginning of a great journey. It started the clock running on a time that countless others have called “the best years of my life.”

Dalhousie, I have arrived.