Value your time in the classroom and build strong relationships with peers, faculty, and staff. That was the resounding message Provost and Chief Academic Officer Rupendra Paliwal, Ph.D., imparted to the Class of 2028 and transfer students on Wednesday afternoon during Bryant University’s annual Convocation.
“We are here for you, and we are committed to your growth, your success, and to help you reach your full potential,” said Paliwal, who addressed a sea of students gathered in the Elizabeth and Malcolm Chace Wellness and Athletic Center gymnasium on the cool, summer afternoon.
Convocation celebrates the beginning of the academic year as newly minted Bulldogs embark on a journey of learning, exploration, reflection, and growth. The tradition is grounded in Bryant’s commitment to educating and inspiring students to discover their passion and become innovative leaders, Paliwal said. Marked with Bulldog spirit, the special event featured Bryant’s pep band, Division 1 dance team, and Division 1 cheerleading squad, who welcomed students with music, cheers, and shimmering black and gold pom poms as first-years processed into the ceremony.
Eager to welcome students to campus, Bryant University President Ross Gittell, Ph.D., shared that first-years and transfers are joining Bryant at a pivotal moment — calling attention to the opening of the university’s new Business Entrepreneurship Leadership Center (BELC), a state-of-the-art facility home to Bryant’s College of Business. Students attended classes in the BELC for the first time on Tuesday.
“A Bryant education is an investment that pays off very well. We continue to be a national leader — top 1 percent for return on higher education investment. The transformational learning experiences that you will participate in will open doors of opportunity for you,” said Gittell.
Recognizing that entering college can be a time of anticipation, excitement, and some feelings of anxiety, Gittell said higher education is a special opportunity for individuals to make themselves into who they want to be.
“When I was in your shoes, stepping onto my college campus for the first time, I knew that my college experience would be transformative, but I didn’t yet realize how deeply it would shape who I am today,” Gittell said, adding that students will obtain the knowledge, broadened perspective, and critical thinking skills necessary to help them navigate and succeed in a rapidly changing world.
Leading the Class of 2028 in prayer, Rabbi Steven Jablow noted that college brings forth tremendous opportunity.
“Make friends, talk to people who don’t look like you, talk to people who don’t sound like you. Spread your wings a little bit and that confidence will pay off,” said Jablow.
Vice President for Enrollment Management Michelle Cloutier ’05MBA then took time to introduce some members of the incoming class. From a first-year who was presented an award by the president of the United States for outstanding academic excellence to an individual who wrote and produced a music album, Cloutier noted that the Class of 2028 came from a pool of nearly 10,000 applicants.
Hailing from 27 states and 22 countries — including Ghana, Sweden, and Australia — Cloutier shared that first-years come from a variety of religious, ethnic, and racial backgrounds and speak more than 39 languages and dialects. With 183 first-generation college students in the class, Cloutier added that another 155 students have longstanding relationships with the university – whether a sibling, cousin, parent, or grandparent attended Bryant.
“Finance in the College of Business, Politics and Law in the College of Arts and Sciences, and Biology and Psychology in the School of Health and Behavioral Sciences top this year’s areas of academic interest as expressed in your applications,” said Cloutier.
In addition to the class’s academic achievements prior to college, first-years are part of a class with an entrepreneurial mindset who lent their talents for giving back to communities locally and globally. Cloutier noted that the Class of 2028 is athletically driven and includes a student who was the first female on her high school’s baseball team, an individual who founded a recreational organization that teaches water safety to those with disabilities, and another Bulldog who ranked second in the Northeast for horseback riding. Of those who participated in high school sports, 175 students will join Bryant’s varsity teams.
Following Cloutier, students heard from Assistant Professor of Neuroscience Kristin Scaplen, Ph.D., who emphasized the importance of embracing curiosity and taking advantage of new opportunities.
“I had mapped out my path with such exquisite detail, but what I didn’t expect were opportunities I encountered during my college experience that ultimately led me down a completely different career path,” said Scaplen, who became captivated by the fields of psychology and neuroscience. “Be open, be uncomfortable. Now is your opportunity to explore — attend a lecture on a topic you know nothing about or, better yet, sign up for a course that’s intriguing.”
Scaplen closed her talk on the importance of community at Bryant, and Inge-Lise Ameer, Ed.D., vice president of student affairs, dean of students, and chief diversity officer, introduced first-years to two returning Bulldogs: Student Government Association President Vincent Emery ’26 and Student Alumni Association President Emily Wyzukovicz ’26. Emery and Wyzukovicz led transfers and first-years in the Bryant University pledge, where new students reaffirmed their commitment to the university.
Afterward, Student Government Treasurer Brian Inger ’26 took to the stage. He highlighted that starting college can be awkward and you may even feel out of place; however, the best way to find your group is to jump in headfirst.
“Many of us upperclassmen have been through many of the same experiences early on and are always willing to lend a hand or offer advice. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you ever need anything,” said Inger.
Following the ceremony, students gathered for food truck fare outside the Elizabeth and Malcolm Chace Wellness and Athletic Center and the Douglas and Judith Krupp Library. There, they took to heart the words of faculty, staff, and returning students. Stepping out of their comfort zone, they talked to strangers and made connections with those who would likely become their closest confidants on campus.
“Each challenge is an opportunity for growth. Embrace these moments as part of your journey and use them to build resilience and confidence,” Inger said.
