As the University’s newest students entered Assembly Hall for New Student Convocation on Monday, projection screens showed videos of fellow students giving advice and answering trivia questions about the University. Chancellor Richard Herman stepped onto the podium and greeted the students and faculty to open the ceremony.

“One campus, one voice,” Herman said.

Many of the speakers at this year’s Convocation ceremony spoke of their past experiences and of the class’s potential to change the world. Herman spoke particularly of preparing the students for their place in the “new global workplace” shaped by changes in technology and networking, as well as encouraging the new students to explore their surroundings and reach their potential.

“There’s never been a time in our history when there wasn’t a new discovery waiting to be made,” Herman said.

Justin Randall, senior in LAS and president of the Illinois Student Senate, spoke to the new students about his own nostalgia and how his years at the University have shaped his views on life.

“You will learn as much outside the classrooms as you will inside the classrooms,” Randall said. “This is your campus.”

Associate professor of education psychology Dorothy Espelage gave this year’s convocation address. Espelage said she believes that her life and family in Virginia, and her experiences at her own convocation helped shape who she is today.

“I remember it encouraged me to see obstacles and opportunity,” Espelage said.

During her speech, Espelage also urged both male and female students to respect each other and to get help when needed. One of her major areas of study involves sexual harassment of young women and the various motives behind it. Espelage said that students of either gender need to be aware of the problems that can arise on a college campus.

“We have to respect our young women,” Espelage said.

Herman also introduced Democratic U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin as a surprise guest. Durbin said that he originally came to the University for a meeting, but he decided to speak at the event after hearing about it.