This address was delivered by Dr. John Nosek, 2006 Professor of the Year, to the new students at Winona State University on August 24, 2006.

President Ramaley, Mayor Miller, Friends of the University, Colleagues, and the Class of 2010

GOOD MORNING

I am happy to be here and to have the chance to address you at your Convocation.  When I was told I was being invited to speak with you, the first thing that came into my mind was “So, what should I say to you?”  What I would really like to do is give a Commencement address someday, but I’m not famous enough, wealthy enough, or enough of an academic heavy hitter to do that, so a Commencement address is out.  Besides, it is too early in your academic careers for that.  During this Convocation you have already been welcomed in an eloquent fashion, and told of the challenges and expectations that lie ahead by President Ramaley and others.

From the welcome you receive today to your eventual commencement is a long time.  Maybe what I can do is offer to you a few ideas to help you successfully navigate all that time in between.

So, what I am going to do is borrow from a certain late night talk show host and offer to you my top 10 survival tips to get you from Convocation to Commencement

Here we go:

1. you can find food
• there are 10 pizza places, 5 Chinese food restaurants, 4 Mexican food outlets, 3 McDonalds, Subway and Quizno’s, Culvers, Hardees, numerous other restaurants, and of course the very good campus dining services, and 4 soon to be 5 grocery stores.  Though “fine-dining” and Winona do not often occur in the same sentence, you will not starve to death, in fact, quite the opposite may occur…..
2.  take advantage of the faculty and staff
• The people seated on the floor behind me are the faculty and staff of WSU.  The staff people will give you guidance and assistance on a number of different areas of concern, help you academically, counsel you, help you maintain your health, keep you secure, prepare and serve meals for you, keep the grounds looking beautiful, keep the classrooms, labs and other campus spaces tidy and ready to use, and will perform a host of other important duties.  You can do your part to help them out by caring for this campus as your home away from home.  They are great people, so show them you appreciate all that they do for you.
• The faculty represents an incredible breadth and depth of knowledge and experience and will be your greatest resource on this campus.  Do not be anonymous – get to know them, and let them get to know you.  The faculty of WSU will hold you to a higher standard.  You can expect to be challenged in and out of the classroom.  You can expect to be treated with fairness, honesty, and respect.  And you can expect that we will expect the same from you.  All the members of the faculty that I know will be happy to spend time with you, all you need to do is ask…
3. join something
• If you are bored, you’re just not trying very hard to be otherwise.  There are numerous clubs on campus with myriad interests:  academics, service, the fine arts, the sciences, recreation, multiculturalism, and many other special interests.  There are varsity and intramural sports, music and performing arts.  The greater Winona community provides even more opportunities for entertainment, recreation, community based, and faith based activities.  Find them, join them, get involved.
4. practice safe sex
• I’m not trying to be funny here.  National surveys indicate that the onset of sexual activity, on average, begins around 13 or 14, and all of you are beyond that age.  Early onset of sexual activity and multiple partners increases health risks for std’s.  Purchase some condoms from Student Health Services -12 for a dollar.  HIV, Chlamydia, gonorrhea, and Trichomonas are all preventable with proper use.  And just in case you think std’s only happen to other people, realize that Chlamydia is the most commonly reported std, running at 5-6% among college age women.  So, statistically, 50-60 of you are likely to contract it.  However, condoms are less effective against HPV, herpes, and syphilis so other methods of prevention are necessary, including responsible decision making on your part and open communication amongst partners.  And, beyond the risk of std’s, an unplanned pregnancy will definitely cause a change in your plans.  My apologies if these remarks offend any of you or imply anything incorrect about your behavior, as that is not my intent.  But, if a little offence prevents some of you from becoming infected, well, I’m willing to take some criticism.  OK, moving on to number 5…..
5. register and vote
• Many of you are eligible to vote for the first time in the upcoming elections.  As a student at WSU you may register to vote here in Winona.  If you think it doesn’t matter who sits in the legislature, ask yourself who makes the decisions about funding for the University.
6. prioritize
• you are, after all, here to study and obtain a college degree.  You are no longer in high school, so do not make the mistake of thinking that college is just four more years of the same things that worked before.  What we expect from you is now much greater.  Graduation from high school is where you left off, but it is now merely the point from which we begin.  You have to pick up your game.  Temptations to goof off are everywhere – in the dorms, around town, at the gym and in the lounges, or as close as the nearest wireless hub.  Pay attention to your studies, take good care of yourself, then go have some fun.
7. make good decisions
• This sounds obvious, but is much harder to actually do.  In the age of heightened security, background checks, random drug tests, and the ubiquity of the internet, bad choices can easily come back to haunt you.  That fake ID, a citation for public consumption, busted for drug possession, DWI, or any kind of arrest for that matter, or any of the weird stuff that shows up on MySpace or Facebook, or other social network or viral video sites are all being viewed these days by law enforcement and your potential employers.  Maybe even your parents. Don’t let bad decisions sully your reputation and leave you with a record you’ll regret later.  It truly matters.
8. find your niche
• All the old groups and cliques from high school are gone.  You might feel a bit out of place and lost right now, but you will find people of similar interests.  Be true to yourself.  You will make new and lasting friends.  Give it a little time, you’ll see.
9. practice tolerance and respect
• this might be the most important one of all, not just for the next few years, but for all the years of your life.  How many of these have you heard in the news recently:  Sunni, Shiite, Kurd, Jew, Muslim, Christian, Hamas, Hizbullah, Al Queda?  Or how about:  Democrat, Republican, liberal, conservative, gay, straight, lesbian, bi, pro-life, pro-choice, black, white, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, men, women.  Or even Vikings fans, Packer fans, or Bears fans.  In civilized society some things just can not be tolerated.  Terror, violence and abuse of all kinds must be met and resisted at all times.  But, what of the other lesser disagreements, indignities, insults and slights you might suffer?  Imagine how many tensions could be eased by an attitude of tolerance, understanding, and respect?    What if we ALL practiced that to each other?  Imagine how many problems could be avoided.  Tolerance, understanding, respect.

10.  Keep in touch with your family

• You’re off on your own now, but only recently have you struck out from your family.  Mom and Dad, brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles. They were your first support system.  Your family will grow now, and even more in the years after college, to include perhaps a spouse or partner, children, nieces and nephews, and friends who will be like family.  Together they will be your support system for life.  And you will be part of theirs.  Maintain those connections.  Their value is inestimable.

OK, that’s it.  That’s my top 10.  I’m sure you could add some of your own to this list.  I hope some of these will have meaning for you and will help you navigate the time between Convocation and Commencement and beyond. 

Work hard, use your head, and have fun along the way.

Thank you ladies and gentlemen, welcome, and Good luck.