Thursday, August 22, 2024
By: Kyle Niblett
On the eve of fall classes starting, the University of Florida College of Design, Construction and Planning Class of 2028 was greeted at Jonathan and Melanie Antevy Hall with a pre-convocation event Wednesday. These first-year Gators were offered popsicles and DCP swag such as cups and clear bags.
Dean Chimay Anumba opened the event with a brief welcome message, followed by brief comments from the directors of each undergraduate academic program. Students were informed of the exciting initiatives offered at DCP and the expectations for each department.
“You chose a great university, and we humbly believe this is one of the very best colleges on campus,” Anumba told the students. “DCP is more of a family atmosphere, so it is very important that you feel free and at home here.”
Before the faculty addressed them, students were able to mingle with fellow DCP freshmen, along with DCP Ambassadors who could answer any questions they had about the college or their specific major.
“As a fellow student and not a faculty member, I have walked in the same shoes they’re in now so I can offer a fresh perspective,” said junior Sustainability and the Built Environment major Seungju Lee, a DCP Ambassador. “I encouraged them to get involved and meet a lot of new people, especially alumni.”
For incoming freshman John Okereafor, the childhood fascination of design build combined with wanting to create buildings in his own style led him to DCP.
“This was a great event to meet my fellow architecture students in my class as well as talk to the directors in an intimate setting,” he said.
After ending the event with a photo depicting the group in number 28 to signify their class, the DCP Ambassadors escorted the freshmen to the university-wide new student convocation.
