The journey of the Spring 2019 semester took its first step at noon on Thursday, January 31, with the Freshman Convocation, held in the Gould Memorial Library Auditorium. Incoming freshmen and transfer students gathered to meet their new classmates, faculty and staff and were entertained, inspired and informed about what lies ahead in their adventures at BCC.

The afternoon was supposed to begin with the music of The Family Dorleans, a group of singers comprised of current and future BCC students, as well as cherished alumni. However, the flu bug bit the entire family, and they were unable to make it. In their place, current BCC student Tiffany Medina stepped in and performed a rousing and inspirational rendition of The Climb by Miley Cyrus.

The Master of Ceremonies, Dr. Yvonne Erazo-Davila began the afternoon’s program by welcoming the incoming freshman class of 2021 and reminding students that “Convocation is your official welcome to the college, and an opportunity to understand and visualize where you’re starting…what you want to do and how far you are willing to go with your education.”

Inspiring remarks from Student Government Association President Carolina Valenzuela followed, reminding freshmen to “Remember your Why. Whatever your why is, remain engaged involved and committed” she said.

BCC President Thomas A. Isekenegbe also welcomed the eager attendees. “Two things I want you to take from the heart; you must be an active member, you must be engaged, find something to be involved in. The second is, we all have different issues and challenges. I want you to be flexible, adaptable and resilient” he stated.

The Keynote Speaker was BCC graduate Aisha Sidibe (Class of ’12). A Bronx native of West African, Cuban, and Haitian descent, Ms. Sidibe went from Bronx Community College to Hunter College (B.A. ’14, MFA ‘16) and is now an Adjunct Assistant Professor at the City University of New York. Ms. Sidibe’s speech reflected on her time at BCC and how her experiences and relationships here helped her to succeed. “In BCC I continued to grow through the idea of community. Don’t be fooled by the perceptions that people have of this borough and this college because one thing we do have here is a community.”

The event closed with a reading of original work by Ms. Oyindamola Shoola, author, blogger and winner of the 2017 Nigerian Writers Award, followed by the taking of the BCC Pledge by all the new students.

A post-convocation reception was held upstairs amid the stately Irish marble columns of the GML Rotunda, where keynoter Sidibe provided information on her organization “Bronx Moms.”

Good luck to all the freshmen, and thanks to all who helped make the day so special!