Jazmin del Angel | Reporter
Published August 27, 2015; 11:50 a.m.

With the company of 815 domestic and 173 international freshmen, according to Dr. Joe Parisi, the Freshman Convocation of the Class of 2019 took place at the Lindenwood Family Theater Tuesday, Aug. 26, at 4 p.m. Following the prelude given by Professor Pamela Grooms, Professor Timothy Butler, the university’s chaplain, presented the Invocation.

After the Invocation, President Michael D. Shonrock gave a message to the Class of 2019.

“As an institution that cares about you, we truly care about your success,” Shonrock said. “I want to begin with the end of mine. I see all of your smiley faces right now I will see at the graduation. I want to see you there and so does your family.  Let us work with you. We have a wonderful staff and faculty who care.  I want to thank you for your excitement, thank you for your enthusiasm.” He closed his speech by inviting students to follow him on Twitter:  “Please follow me at @LindenwoodPres. I will reach you there. Trust me, I know how!”

“The message of the president was inspirational and I’ll follow his advice,” said international freshman student Isabella Luongo. “Maybe I will even follow him on Twitter!”

LU’s a capella choir, Voices Only, performed two songs including “Java Jive” and the school’s alma mater, “Oh Lindenwood,” which was followed by words from Dr. Joe Parisi.

“You are the Number 1 record class for GPA attainment and in the top three for SAT or ACT score attainment. It’s an honor and privilege,” Parisi said. Reportedly, 518 freshmen have a 3.8 cumulative GPA, which is 5 percent more than last year.

The freshman students had a positive reception to the ceremony.

“Everyone is really friendly and they really show they are there for me and want me to succeed,” said freshman Michael Nguyen “Let’s make a blast of these years together!”