Dear AU students, staff, and faculty: 

Wishing you a joyous and energizing first day of classes on the most beautiful campus in the most important city in the world!   

Instead of sending a long first day of classes note that few people would read, we simply wanted to say thank you to all the faculty and staff who worked so hard to prepare for this day.  We have incredible students arriving on campus from 112 countries, and almost all 50 states. Our newest Eagles, the Class of 2030, include dozens of valedictorians and salutatorians, medalists in world yoga competitions, a DJ for the NBA, a student who designed and taught classes in Cambodia, a two-time Florida state basketball champion, artists, scientists, actors, and the second largest SPA class in history.   

If you have a few minutes between classes, watch these three short videos: 

1) A 45-second video showing 2,000 faculty, staff, deans, students (and an AUPD officer) dancing to Dolly Parton at the end of Opening Convocation; 

2) President Marchick's convocation speech which had the audience laughing, crying, and dancing all in the space of 15 minutes; 

3) Scholar-Teacher of the Year Nate Harshman's stirring convocation speech - note that the university does not endorse Professor Harshman's hilarious message about parents (they are definitely NOT the enemy 😂). Thank you, Nate, for your wisdom and humor.  

We are excited for the academic year to begin and look forward to seeing you around campus.

Go Eagles! 

Dave Marchick
Interim President

Vicky Wilkins
Provost and Chief Academic Officer

Dayne Hutchinson
Interim Vice Provost for Student Affairs