Good afternoon.
I’m President Laurie Carter, and it is my great joy to welcome you to Lawrence University.
Each fall, the arrival of a new class adds vibrancy to our campus. You bring new ideas, new talents, and new perspectives that will shape the Lawrence community for years to come. And so, before celebrating your arrival as Lawrentians, I’d like to pause and thank the people who helped you get here:
- To the Admissions team, who recognized your promise and potential;
- To the Student Life team, who are ready to help you find your place and flourish;
- And to your families, friends, and loved ones—thank you for entrusting us with your student’s future and for the love and encouragement you’ve given along the way.
And now, to you – our newest students, the Class of 2029 – today you become Lawrentians.
You are beginning an extraordinary journey. Over the next four or five years, you will grow in ways you cannot yet imagine: through your studies, your friendships, your passions, and the opportunities you embrace. Along the way, you will add your voice and your story to Lawrence’s long and proud history.
The Lawrence legacy reminds us that we are part of something larger. For more than 175 years, Lawrence has been a beacon of academic excellence, preparing critical thinkers and creative problem-solvers who are prepared to lead well-into the future. From Nobel prize winners to corporate innovators, prolific performers and visionary public health professionals – Lawrentians have gone on to change the world.
When you walked through the Lawrence Arch today you joined that community of change-makers, and, in four or five short years, you will walk back through that Arch as graduates. You will carry with you the spirit of Lawrence with you wherever you go.
Together, we will continue to honor the rich tradition of a Lawrence education. We will prepare you with a broad intellectual foundation, immersing you in new perspectives through exposure to the humanities, the natural sciences, and the arts. We will prepare you to be agile thinkers, collaborative problem solvers, and effective communicators. And we will continue to modernize the Lawrence experience – because we know that many of the careers we are preparing you for don’t yet exist.
As recently as last week, we have completed historic investments in YOU, the Lawrentians of today and tomorrow.
We’ve opened several vibrant and innovative academic spaces, restorative lounge spaces, and independent housing options for junior and senior students. Through these investments, we’ve unlocked transformative learning opportunities for our students, opportunities that will connect you with local businesses and nonprofit organizations, prepare you for the future, and deepen your engagement with this incredible community.
Congratulations, Class of 2029. We are thrilled that you are here. On behalf of the faculty and staff, know that we are committed to walking alongside you in this journey. Together, we will make your Lawrence experience extraordinary. Together, We are Lawrence.
Welcome home, Lawrentians.
I’m now thrilled to introduce you to your LUCC President Brook Schara.