Have you met three new people every day for the last three weeks? Whether you have or not, I hope you will tell me about it!
Fellow freshmen:
Three weeks ago today at Convocation, I described the importance of the next few weeks and months in laying the foundation for future success. I mentioned specifically the importance of empathy as a skill that will enable you "to communicate, to work well in collaboration with others, to understand a variety of points of view, to be able to grasp competing value systems even while being clear on your own values." And I challenged each of you to meet three new people every day for the next three weeks, and to have a meaningful conversation with each person you meet.
Time's up! How have you done? Regardless of quantity, I hope you have had interactions of great quality and diversity. Have you had a completely unexpected conversation with someone during the last three weeks? Have you been told something from another person's experience that changes your perspective on some aspect of life? Have you made a lifelong friend and, if so, how do you know that will be the case?
I'd love to hear about the people you have met and the meaningful conversations you have had over the last three weeks. Please feel free to share your experiences with me at president@ithaca.edu.
Tom Rochon
President
