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LSU held its Academic Convocation on Friday, Aug. 22, signaling the start of the new academic year on campus. The event was the first public welcoming of the "Class of 2012" to campus and focused on LSU's Summer Reading Program selection, "The Complete Persepolis" by Marjane Satrapi. "I am delighted to welcome the class of 2012 on the occasion of the Academic Convocation to inaugurate this academic year," said LSU Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Astrid Merget. "This occasion is a milestone for both of us. This occasion marks the beginning of your collegiate career at Louisiana State University, and today marks my anniversary of one year as provost." Merget highlighted features of LSU including its Land, Sea and Space Grant status, its colleges and programs and new ranking in U.S. News & World Report's 2009 edition of America's Best Colleges. "You are a sterling class full of promise, and I know you have chosen well in accepting our invitation to join Louisiana State University," Merget said. "You have chosen an exceptional university. LSU is in the top tier of American universities, according to the rankings of U.S. News & World Report published today." The focus of the Academic Convocation was "Persepolis," which the entering freshmen class read during the summer. "Persepolis" is Satrapi's graphic memoir, combining text and black and white sequential art to relate the story of growing up in revolutionary Iran. To open the discussion of the book, Reza Pirbhai, LSU assistant professor of history, and Lillian Bridwell-Bowles, LSU Communication across the Curriculum director, presented their thoughts on the book, the United States' relationship with Iran and the different media available to express one's self in today's world. Following the speakers, students joined break-out groups to discuss "Persepolis" with their classmates and LSU faculty members. "What Satrapi's memoir illustrates is that being Irani does not make her part of some "axis of evil" anymore than being American makes you a 'great Satan,'" Pirbhai said. "The fact is we are all human beings, and by describing her experiences, Satrapi most forcefully reminds us of what we all share on the road to adulthood. "I hope Marjane Satrapi has helped you all write your own stories, as she has certainly helped me understand mine. Enjoy your time at LSU," he added. Bridwell-Bowles provided her thoughts on "Persepolis," the recently released animated film on the book, Web sites and blogs about the book and a number of other media that has sparked discussion and interest in the memoir. "When you analyze a memoir, an autobiography, a book, a film ... virtually any artifact that you will encounter, there are many questions you can ask. Learning to ask questions is about 50 percent of a college education. The other half is learning where and how to find some answers and putting as many of these answers in your head as you can," Bridwell-Bowles said. She also challenged the freshman class to always ask questions and to consider what events from their lives they would include if they were writing their own memoir 20 years from now. "Examine your life, ask questions, go deep, write your stories. I want to read them," Bridwell-Bowles said. LSU Student Body President Colorado Robertson served as moderator for the event. With his first opportunity to address the freshmen class, he offered some good advice, "No matter how tempting it is, don't push the snooze button on your alarm clock because it's important to go to class," Robertson told the freshmen class. He also lent his thoughts on the place that they would be spending the next four years of their lives. "LSU is like no other place in the world," he said. "There's only one LSU." For more information, visit the LSU Summer Reading Program's Web site at www.lsu.edu/srp. -30- |
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