Carnegie Mellon University Welcomes Class of 2028+

Carnegie Mellon University President Farnam Jahanian(opens in new window) and the deans of its seven schools and colleges officially welcomed over 1,800 students to campus as they began their first year on Aug. 22. 

The day’s theme was “Woven Together,” and speakers called on the symbolism of the Tartan plaid to encourage the first-year arrivals to embrace their diversity and the bonds they will form with the community over the coming days.

The Class of 2028+ comprises students from around the world. Hailing from 47 states and 43 countries, they were selected from a pool of nearly 34,000 applicants. First-generation students make up 8.8% of those who started their academic journey on Thursday.

The formal celebration took place in a tent constructed on the College of Fine Arts lawn, marking the start of their time at CMU. The event opened with a bagpipe processional by the Carnegie Mellon Pipes and Drums(opens in new window), the first of many that students will hear during their time at CMU.

The event began with remarks from Rev. Jennifer McCurry, coordinator of Religious and Spiritual Life(opens in new window) at Carnegie Mellon.

“This week, as we have learned about this community and one another, the powerful weaving of our Tartan community has begun,” McCurry said. “This Tartan fabric will accompany us to give countless unremarkable days, seasons of growth and challenge, and moments of great joy and delight.”

Head Orientation Counselor Elizabeth Zapanta emceed the event. One of eight orientation program leaders and 156 counselors, Zapanta spoke on behalf of those in attendance.

“Our Tartan plaid highlights our individuality but emphasizes our commonality. It weaves together the pieces of our time while in college,” she said.

Zapanta presented the 2028+ class tile to the incoming students. The tile, crafted in the same style as the first-ever marker laid in 1908, will be placed in the entryway of Baker Hall to commemorate the class with a permanent fixture on CMU’s campus.

Provost James H. Garrett Jr.(opens in new window) followed the tile presentation with remarks and advice.

Garrett returned to 1908, noting that the first class enrolled only 120 students. “Most attended part time in the evenings after work, with more than 90% hailing from Pittsburgh. Now, over a century later, your class looks a little different,” he said.

“At this moment, as I consider the multitude of diverse backgrounds and talents represented in your class, I am confident that each of you has an extremely bright future,” Garrett added. “Our global, intellectually diverse community has a deep tradition of excellence in education, research, creativity and scholarship. Today you join our community, and we are a better university because you are here.”

Francesca Cain, president of the Undergraduate Student Senate(opens in new window) and a junior studying electrical and computer engineering(opens in new window) with an additional major in biomedical engineering(opens in new window), followed the provost’s remarks with advice for students to embrace personal growth, even if it takes them on an indirect or unexpected path.

She explained that there is often a misconception that one’s heart being in the work — a paraphrase of Carnegie Mellon’s motto — means focusing only on academics. Instead, she encouraged the students to pursue what matters to them both inside and outside of the classroom.

“Maybe you'll find yourself working toward community outreach and mentorship. Maybe you find yourself working on trying to send a rover to the moon. Maybe you find yourself working on writing and directing your own play, building a gigantic booth during Carnival, or honing your bagpiping skills,” she said. “Your heart being in the work means working on who you'll be for the rest of your adult life.”

Zapanta returned to the stage to introduce the keynote speaker, Psychology and Social and Decision Sciences Professor Daniel Oppenheimer(opens in new window). Oppenheimer gave seven pieces of pragmatic advice to the students to make their college experience the best it can be: Explore, get to know one’s peers, get to know the faculty, get to know the staff, embrace failure, seek dissent, and do not prioritize the diploma over the experience of learning and growing.

“College will give you millions of opportunities more than you could possibly take advantage of in multiple lifetimes,” Oppenheimer said, “but it's up to you to choose among them and embrace the opportunities.”

Zapanta introduced Jahanian as the day’s final speaker.

“Over the last several days, you have already begun to absorb the CMU culture and learn the rhythm of our campus life,” Jahanian said.

“The next several years will undoubtedly be some of the most transformative of your lives. You will make lifelong friendships, as Danny mentioned. You will grow in innumerable ways, and discover passions that ignite your academic and professional careers. CMU will change you, and you will change CMU.”

The president also encouraged the students to embrace the responsibility of making campus a place of welcoming, dignity and respect for everyone. 

“In a world that seems increasingly divided, particularly during the current election season, our community can embrace free speech while also using our differences to build bridges of openness and understanding,” Jahanian said. “When we consider perspectives outside of our own and engage in meaningful civil discourse, we all win.

“If you get this right, CMU can even serve as a model for the rest of the world.”

Jahanian also gave the students one piece of advice to carry with them throughout their time at CMU: Embrace the moment.

“Take a second to appreciate where you are and the journey you're about to embark on. Look around. Savor the sights and sounds. In fact, I encourage you to do this throughout your college career. You've probably heard this by now: College goes by so fast. So every once in a while, stop and remind yourself that you're exactly where you want to be.”

After these words, Jahanian formally introduced the students to the deans of their schools and colleges, prompting chants and applause as their first displays of Tartan pride.

After Jahanian closed out the speech with a final congratulations, the Pipes and Drums returned to lead a bagpipe recessional, as the Class of 2028+ emerged from the tent to take their first steps onto campus, woven together as Tartans.