The University of Minnesota Duluth's first new chancellor in 15 years introduced a new symbol and addressed a serious issue when he spoke to students and faculty today in a packed Romano Gym.
More than 2,000 freshmen saw Chancellor Lendley "Lynn" Black for the first time during the annual freshmen convocation. Each received a tassel when walking through the gym door, one that Black told students to keep in their rooms and use as a reminder of why they are there: to graduate.
As students get used to their new surroundings, meet new people and study for classes, he said, they should remember to be truthful, fair, just and caring.
"We are committed to an inclusive campus community and treating everyone in a civil manner no matter how much," he said, pausing because of thunderous applause from the faculty and staff sections, "no matter how much we disagree at times."
Black addressed racism, a topic that remains an open wound at UMD following an incident in April where two white students spoke derogatorily and publicly on Facebook about a black student.
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"We ... need to eliminate actions that are hateful, discriminatory," he said. "You will learn about new cultures different from your own. Use that learning in new ways of thinking."
He told students to get involved, manage time wisely and get to know the city they have chosen to live in while they earn a college education.
"I am also new to Duluth," he said. "While I have not moved into a residence hall ... we did move across the country from Georgia. We have made many new friends in just a month. I will also rely on others to help me make adjustments and to succeed as your new chancellor."
Black comes from Kennesaw (Ga.) State University, where he was provost and vice president of academic affairs for a campus of 22,300 students. The ninth UMD campus leader, he has a background in theater.
Freshman Steven Rockwood said he liked the talk, and "the applause from all of the people down there made it better," he said.
Junior Kari O'Brien, a student leader helping with freshmen orientation, said a video that included students sharing the word "hello" in different languages was new to convocation this year.
"That was really cool," she said, adding that she loved the tone Black set in his talk.
"Last year, with the whole racism issue ... I think he did a great job of telling the freshmen how things are done at UMD," she said, "and how you need to act."
