With help from a soundtrack featuring Dolly Parton, bagpipes, and the AU fight song, the American University community welcomed the Class of 2030 to campus during opening convocation on August 28. 

Words of wisdom for about 1,600 new Eagles bounced off the walls of Bender Arena—the same venue where they’ll gather in four years to turn their tassels at commencement. 

“You’re in the right place,” Interim President Dave Marchick said during the ceremony. “Here’s my charge to you: You bring your chip, and all of us at AU will help you find your competence, confidence, and community. You belong here. 

“You’re an Eagle for life. You’re now part of the most beautiful campus and most nurturing university community in the world, in the most important city in the world.” 

Marchick closed his remarks by asking students to stand arm in arm for a dance break to Dolly Parton’s “Jolene.”  “In the words of the late great Dolly Parton, you’ve got to be smart as a whip and fly like an eagle,” he said. 

Before convocation, first-year students gathered on the quad for a class photo. 

Members of the Class of 2030 hail from 44 states; Washington, DC; Puerto Rico; the US Virgin Islands; and 36 countries. Forty-nine percent of the class identify as students of color, and 18 percent are the first in their families to attend a four-year institution.  

As they made their way into Lydecker Tunnel, new students rubbed the talon of the bronze Eagle statue—a tradition believed to bring good luck and symbolize their commitment to the AU community.

Lines of cheering faculty, staff, and student leaders clapped excitedly as the newcomers entered Bender Arena, while Marchick gave some of them high fives.

Provost and Chief Academic Officer Vicky Wilkins encouraged students to take a breath. 

“I can only imagine that some of you are feeling overwhelmed and perhaps even a bit exhausted. I encourage you to pause, breathe, take in this moment, and reflect on how far you’ve already come,” Wilkins said. “Please know that everyone here on this stage will be cheering you on as you embrace all AU has to offer.” 

During his address,  College of Arts and Sciences physics professor Nate Harshman, AU’s 2026 Scholar/Teacher of the Year, urged first-year students to “be human” and avoid the temptation to over-optimize their college experience.

“Robots take the shortest path,” Harshman said. “Explore DC. Read books that aren’t on the reading list. Seize opportunities to dance. Take risks. Heck, take an intro to physics class. Become an expert in something obscure and delightful. Hang out in the common room talking about how to build a just and caring society late into the night—and how to prevent the robot apocalypse.” 

At the close of the ceremony, students pinned cherry blossom lapel pins on one another.  “With this exchange, you are woven into the fabric of AU,” said Dayne Hutchinson, interim vice provost for student affairs.