Residence Hall Community Events - Orientation and First-Year ...

Convocation Program 2012
About Our Speakers and Musicians
College Day!
The University of Minnesota’s official welcome to the Class of 2016 and a celebration
of University tradition and a spirit of academic excellence and community.
Did U Know
Slideshow about the University
Welcome and Academic Procession (please stand)
National Anthem (please remain standing)
Professor Philip Zawisza, School of Music
Message to the Class of 2016
President Eric W. Kaler
Advice to the Class of 2016
Brittany Resch, Class of 2012
Meet the Faculty
Professor Mark Seeley, Department of Soil, Water, and Climate
Professor Tim Diem, School of Music
Academic Recession
Announcements and Dismissal
Jenny Porter, Orientation & First-Year Programs
Philip Zawisza
A native of Niles, Michigan, and graduate of the Interlochen Arts Academy, Philip Zawisza completed his
master’s degree at Indiana University with Nicola Rossi-Lemeni, and began his solo career with the Santa Fe
Opera and the Lyric Opera of Chicago on radio and television PBS broadcasts. A renowned opera singer
and song recitalist, Zawisza has performed throughout the United States, Austria, Switzerland, Germany,
Spain, and France. He is currently an Assistant Professor of Voice at the University of Minnesota, and recently
performed at Carnegie Hall with Professor Paul Shaw.
President Eric W. Kaler
Eric W. Kaler assumed office as the 16th president of the University of Minnesota on July 1, 2011. Prior to
that, he served as provost and senior vice president for academic affairs and vice president for Brookhaven
National Laboratory affairs at Stony Brook University in Stony Brook, New York. President Kaler received
his undergraduate degree from the California Institute of Technology and his Ph.D. in chemical engineering
from the University of Minnesota. As president, he is committed to academic excellence and access to the
University for all qualified students.
Brittany Resch
Brittany Resch graduated magna cum laude in 2012 with a major in Global Studies and a minor in Finnish.
Originally from Birnamwood, Wisconsin, Brittany began her undergraduate career with an internship at the
Minnesota State Senate, and continued to hold various internships around the Twin Cities throughout the next
four years. She was also an active member of the CLA Ambassadors, a diverse leadership group representing
the College of Liberal Arts on campus and in the community. A summer course called The Civil Rights
Movement: A History and Consequences inspired Brittany to focus her studies on issues of social justice and
human rights. She has been working at the United States Attorney’s Office as a student clerk for two years,
and she is excited to continue her work there as she prepares to begin her first year at the University
of Minnesota Law School this fall.
College Day!
Mark Seeley
Mark Seeley is a Professor in the Department of Soil, Water, and Climate at the University of Minnesota.
He serves as an extension climatologist and meteorologist, coordinating weather and climate educational
programs with the National Weather Service, the Minnesota State Climatology Office, and other state agencies.
He is also active in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Climate Literacy Program,
and has traveled around the United States and to the United Kingdom for his work. Dr. Seeley has also been
a weekly commentator on Minnesota Public Radio’s Morning Edition news program since 1992.
Timothy Diem
Timothy Diem, School of Music, is entering his 13th year of teaching at the University of Minnesota and his
eighth year as the Director of the Marching Band. Diem, a native of Delano, Minnesota, oversees all Athletic
Band activities at the U and also works with the University and Campus Bands.
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