“Even when the Core is far from your passions, the learning transfers in surprising ways,” Hale said. “When the future scientist or economist digs into the claims of textual criticism, or the linguist does the same for project-based inquiry in biology, that's anything but a waste of time. It provides a richer set of information, perspectives, approaches to problems—both the breadth of knowledge and the mental habits to question everything.”
Alivisatos focused on the importance of freedom of inquiry and expression, and used the Chicago Principles as a guide throughout students’ time in the College and beyond.
“If you can approach a disagreement with kindness and humility, an eagerness or at least a willingness to hear a different point of view, then the odds of getting to the bottom of it will improve,” Alivisatos said. “But at the end of the day, you do yourself and others no favors by holding back. Indeed, do speak your mind. But never seek to disrupt the learning and expression of others.”
At the conclusion of Opening Convocation, members of the Class of 2028 processed through the Main Quadrangles, past their families, and through an enthusiastic crowd of UChicago community members gathered around Cobb Gate.
‘A journey together at the edge of human knowledge’
On Sept. 24, new graduate students from UChicago’s schools and divisions marched from the Main Quadrangles to Rockefeller Memorial Chapel. There, they were officially welcomed into the University during an opening Convocation event, which featured remarks from President Paul Alivisatos, faculty speakers and leaders of UChicago’s Graduate Council.
Alivisatos told students that their academic careers at UChicago would be “a journey together at the edge of human knowledge.” He described the University as “a place of truth-seeking, imbued with an enduring and deep philosophy for seeing the world around us ever more deeply.”
Alivisatos said freedom of inquiry and expression is central to this quest for knowledge—as is embracing the intellectual community at UChicago while navigating the “give and take of dialogue across differences.”
“Yours will not be a solitary journey. It will be a journey of mutual gifts,” Alivisatos said. “Here amongst you are people who share your love of knowledge and who come from a staggeringly different set of backgrounds and experiences and with a very, very wide range of viewpoints. By engaging in dialogue across this range, you stand to learn so much from each other.”
Other activities for graduate students on Tuesday included a resource fair, a welcome event for international students, and a discussion about the UChicago tradition of free inquiry and expression.
Aims of Education address
On Sept. 26, Prof. Patrick Jagoda will deliver this year’s Aims of Education address —a revered UChicago tradition that explores the purpose of a liberal arts education and encourages undergraduate students to reflect on their future in the College. The event, which will be webcast at 6:30 p.m., will be followed by small-group discussions in residence halls, led by distinguished UChicago faculty.
Learn more about Orientation Week activities for undergraduate students on the College website.
—A version of this story is published on the University of Chicago College Website.
—Prof. Jacqueline Stewart
