Skip to Main Content
Boston University
  • Bostonia
  • BU Today
  • The Brink
  • University Publications

    • Bostonia
    • BU Today
    • The Brink
  • School & College Publications

    • The Record
Other Publications
BU Today
  • Sections
News, Opinion, Community

Brown shows humor, inspiration at his first Matriculation

New president urges students to experience Beantown

September 6, 2005
  • Rebecca Lipchitz
Twitter Facebook
President Robert Brown greets students at Matriculation for the Class of 2009. Photo by Kalman Zabarsky

By the numbers, it is the brightest class BU has ever admitted, and on Monday 4,200 students were officially welcomed at Matriculation by school leaders.

President Robert Brown, who assumed his duties on Thursday, welcomed the class of 2009 with words of wisdom couched in a collegial delivery.

“You and I have more in common that you might guess,” he said. “I am matriculating with you.” Reminding students that they were at Matriculation to “begin this great educational journey,” he asked, “Are you ready to begin?”

Not expecting a call-and-response format to an ancient ceremony, students offered an uncoordinated, if sincere, “Yes.” Brown seemed to sense that the students were caught off guard, and responded, “You must not have had your caffeine yet today.”

He went on to share the history of BU, and encouraged students to make the most of their college experience and tackle what cartoon character Pogo called “insurmountable opportunities.”

“Here are some goals I suggest,” he said, “Grow in a multitude of dimensions, but maybe not your waistline. And take advantage of BU and its setting in the great city of Boston,” noting local attractions including Terriers games, Red Sox games, theater, and other cultural offerings.

“Second, push yourself to reach as high as possible in your studies. A university is a meritocracy; where you come from and what your parents’ income level is does not matter. What matters is your performance in classes and special projects. Make it a goal to do your best; to excel to the highest level possible.”

Robert Pinsky, a CAS professor and former U.S. poet laureate who has taught at BU since 1988, offered an indiction with somber roots but a hopeful heart. He quoted Michelangelo, who wrote about being so uncomfortable while painting the Sistine Chapel ceiling that he was sure it compromised his work: “I am not in the right place. I am not a painter.’”

But for those who aim to do great work, it is human nature to seek difficulty, Pinsky said. “If any of you has never felt this way,” he said, referring to the self-doubt that even Michelangelo experienced, “possibly you don’t belong here. What you are seeking here is a worthy difficulty.”

"

Explore Related Topics:

  • Global Health
  • Robert Brown
  • Students
  • Share this story

Share

Brown shows humor, inspiration at his first Matriculation

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Reddit
  • LinkedIn
  • Email
  • Rebecca Lipchitz

    Rebecca Lipchitz Profile

Latest from BU Today

  • Education

    What’s Behind the Rise in Violence Against Teachers?

  • Fine Arts

    How I Made This: Jacob Whitchurch (CFA’26)

  • Things-to-do

    To Do Today: Seaport Sweat

  • Film & TV

    Did You Win Free Tickets to See Mission: Impossible—The Final Reckoning Tonight?

  • COMMENCEMENT 2025

    Experience BU’s 2025 Commencement from a Terrier Point of View

  • Obituaries

    Remembering Leslie Epstein, Pillar of BU’s Creative Writing Program

  • Voices & Opinion

    POV: This Memorial Day, Remember BU’s Fallen Heroes by Visiting the New Online Honor Wall

  • University News

    23 Charles River Campus Faculty Promoted to Full Professor

  • Commencement 2025

    Photos: A Look Back at BU’s Commencement

  • Theatre

    It’s “Prom Season” at Wheelock Family Theatre

  • Things-to-do

    Six Spots to Check Out This Memorial Day in Boston

  • Commencement 2025

    Video: Class of 2025: What We’ll Take with Us as We Begin a New Chapter

  • Health & Medicine

    What Does Biden’s Cancer Diagnosis Mean?

  • Watch Now

    BU’s Class of 2025: What Are Your Plans After Graduating?

  • Fitness

    BU Sports Rehab Therapists on Jayson Tatum’s Achilles Injury and Recovery Ahead

  • Commencement 2025

    Sights and Sounds from Boston University’s Class of 2025 Commencement

  • Commencement 2025

    Video: 2025 Graduate Jayde Best: “I Ended Up Exactly Where I Wanted to Be”

  • Commencement 2025

    “Empathy Is Essential,” BU Commencement Speaker Emily Deschanel Tells 2025 Graduates

  • Voices & Opinion

    I’m a Business Professor Who Asked Dozens of Former Students How They Define Success

  • Commencement 2025

    Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine Convocations a Joyous Affair

Section navigation

  • Sections
  • Must Reads
  • Videos
  • Series
  • Close-ups
  • Archives
  • About + Contact
Get Our Email

Explore Our Publications

Bostonia

Boston University’s Alumni Magazine

BU Today

News, Opinion, Community

The Brink

Pioneering Research from Boston University

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram
  • Weibo
  • TikTok
© Boston University. All rights reserved. www.bu.edu
© 2025 Trustees of Boston UniversityPrivacy StatementAccessibility
Boston University
Notice of Non-Discrimination: Boston University prohibits discrimination and harassment on the basis of race, color, natural or protective hairstyle, religion, sex or gender, age, national origin, ethnicity, shared ancestry and ethnic characteristics, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, military service, marital, parental, veteran status, or any other legally protected status in any and all educational programs or activities operated by Boston University. Retaliation is also prohibited. Please refer questions or concerns about Title IX, discrimination based on any other status protected by law or BU policy, or retaliation to Boston University’s Executive Director of Equal Opportunity/Title IX Coordinator, at titleix@bu.edu or (617) 358-1796. Read Boston University’s full Notice of Nondiscrimination.
Search
Boston University Masterplate
loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.
Brown shows humor, inspiration at his first Matriculation
0
share this