Lasell's Welcome Convocation

Presiding over his very first convocation for first-year and transfer students and their parents, Lasell College's ninth and newest president, Michael B. Alexander, welcomed everyone with a rousing speech in which he spoke a little about himself and his wife, Mary Barbara, offered some avuncular advice, and proclaimed his commitment to "leading and caring for the Lasell community." The event took place on Thursday, September 6, 2007, at the Lasell Athletic Center.

Offering a brief biographical background, President Alexander said, "I love books, the weight and feel and smell of them; I love getting lost inside them and transferring into another time. I like reading works of fiction, history, poetry and philosophy." He said he believes that "learning is an every day, every hour and every minute endeavor and that learning is intrinsic to everything we do."

He also told his audience of some 800 that Lasell's incoming first-year and transfer students -- all 480 of them -- have arrived on campus from 16 states and 10 foreign countries. "You are the largest, most diverse, most able class in the history of Lasell College," he proclaimed.

Sounding like a proud and doting uncle, Michael Alexander offered his 480 new charges -- and their families -- "President Michael Alexander's 15 Theses for Succeeding in College," a warm and insightful credo he originally created for his daughter, Maggie, when she went off to college.

Among the 15 theses are: "carry at least one book with you wherever you go." "Listen with an open mind to the thoughts and opinions of others," and "find something about which to be passionate."

Each student and parent received a souvenir bookmark listing all of President Alexander's 15 theses as they left the hour-long convocation. A number of them asked for extras to share with students at other colleges.

Click to download a copy of "President Michael Alexander's 15 Theses for Succeeding in College."