Convocation speaker Justin Jones-Fosu brought undecided freshman Lexi Malone up on stage. Photo by Izziel Latour
About 400 students gathered in D.L. Ligon Coliseum on Aug. 30 for All Student Convocation. The agenda included speeches from University President Suzanne Shipley, Student Government Association officers and a guest speaker, Justin Jones-Fosu.
Jones-Fosu said that his primary jobs are husband and father, but he speaks at different places around the country 60 to 70 times a year.
“The crowd is slightly less than normal for a new student convocation, but I’m still both excited and nervous,” he said.
Mario Ramirez, assistant director of student development and orientation, said Jones-Fosu, who charged $4,000 for the event, was chosen from a list of potential speakers based on the message they wanted for convocation.
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“He was great. His delivery showed exactly why we chose him,” Ramirez added. “He came out dancing and singing, which got the crowd’s attention.”
Quotes from his speech:
Why we do impacts what we do, and impacts when we do.
This stuff matters past your time here.
New students attending the convocation were handed tickets for a drawing with a $500 bookstore gift card prize. There were two winners.
Their responses:
“I feel good. I never win anything, and books are expensive,” Allison Cisneros, radiology freshman.
“I am super blessed. Financial aid doesn’t kick in for two weeks,” Jamilah Kangudja, athletic training freshman.
Student responses to All Student Convocation:
Why did you come to convocation tonight?
“I am a new student and it’s a good way to get out and meet people I’ll be graduating with,” Kristin Fender, radiology freshman.
“I came to support my freshman roommate, and I like pep rallies,” Chey Gibbs, radiology junior.
What did you get from the speaker?
“Look at everything. Make your lows, your highs and always consider that your situation could be worse,” Christiana Breedlove, nursing senior.
“People love to make your bad days. He made me look at life differently,” Keunna Cannon, nursing senior.
“Put my effort into everything I do,” DJ Hauser, criminal justice junior.
“A lot. The main thing is stay focused, and be a 10,” Tori Tripp, psychology junior.
“Be the best you can. Don’t be life anyone else,” David Bellot, accounting junior.
What was your favorite part of Convocation?
“I loved the guest speaker, especially his enthusiasm in life and students,” Lindsey Shelley, graduate student in nursing and student regent.
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at Midwestern State University Convocation. Photo by Bradley Wilson
at Midwestern State University Convocation. Photo by Bradley Wilson
at Midwestern State University Convocation. Photo by Bradley Wilson
Aproximately 400 people attended convocation. Photo by Izziel Latour
Aproximately 400 people attended convocation. Photo by Izziel Latour
Aproximately 400 people attended convocation. Photo by Izziel Latour
at Midwestern State University Convocation. Photo by Bradley Wilson
at Midwestern State University Convocation. Photo by Bradley Wilson
at Midwestern State University Convocation. Photo by Bradley Wilson
University President Suzanne Shipley at MWSU convocation, Aug. 30. Photo by Izziel Latour
University President Suzanne Shipley at MWSU convocation, Aug. 30. Photo by Izziel Latour
University President Suzanne Shipley at MWSU convocation, Aug. 30. Photo by Izziel Latour
University President Suzanne Shipley welcomes students at MWSU convocation, Aug. 30. Photo by Izziel Latour
University President Suzanne Shipley welcomes students at MWSU convocation, Aug. 30. Photo by Izziel Latour
University President Suzanne Shipley welcomes students at MWSU convocation, Aug. 30. Photo by Izziel Latour
Provost Betty Stewart and the other senior officers attend MWSU convocation, Aug. 30. Photo by Izziel Latour
Provost Betty Stewart and the other senior officers attend MWSU convocation, Aug. 30. Photo by Izziel Latour
Provost Betty Stewart and the other senior officers attend MWSU convocation, Aug. 30. Photo by Izziel Latour
University President Suzanne Shipley at MWSU convocation, Aug. 30. Photo by Izziel Latour
University President Suzanne Shipley at MWSU convocation, Aug. 30. Photo by Izziel Latour
University President Suzanne Shipley at MWSU convocation, Aug. 30. Photo by Izziel Latour
Justin Jones-Fosu was the guest speaker at MSU convocation. Photo by Izziel Latour
Justin Jones-Fosu was the guest speaker at MSU convocation. Photo by Izziel Latour
Justin Jones-Fosu was the guest speaker at MSU convocation. Photo by Izziel Latour
Jalen Durden runs up and down the stairs at Midwestern State University Convocation. Photo by Bradley Wilson
Jalen Durden runs up and down the stairs at Midwestern State University Convocation. Photo by Bradley Wilson
Jalen Durden runs up and down the stairs at Midwestern State University Convocation. Photo by Bradley Wilson
Dylan Kinard at Midwestern State University Convocation. Photo by Bradley Wilson
Dylan Kinard at Midwestern State University Convocation. Photo by Bradley Wilson
Dylan Kinard at Midwestern State University Convocation. Photo by Bradley Wilson
Justin Jones-Fosu was the guest speaker at MSU convocation. Photo by Izziel Latour
Justin Jones-Fosu was the guest speaker at MSU convocation. Photo by Izziel Latour
Justin Jones-Fosu was the guest speaker at MSU convocation. Photo by Izziel Latour
Bryana Wilson, Journey Trent, Logann Ewers and Allison Cisneros watch the speaker at Midwestern State University Convocation. Photo by Bradley Wilson
Bryana Wilson, Journey Trent, Logann Ewers and Allison Cisneros watch the speaker at Midwestern State University Convocation. Photo by Bradley Wilson
Bryana Wilson, Journey Trent, Logann Ewers and Allison Cisneros watch the speaker at Midwestern State University Convocation. Photo by Bradley Wilson
Justin Jones-Fosu was the guest speaker at MSU convocation. Photo by Izziel Latour
Justin Jones-Fosu was the guest speaker at MSU convocation. Photo by Izziel Latour
Justin Jones-Fosu was the guest speaker at MSU convocation. Photo by Izziel Latour
Justin Jones-Fosu was the guest speaker at MSU convocation. Photo by Izziel Latour
Justin Jones-Fosu was the guest speaker at MSU convocation. Photo by Izziel Latour
Justin Jones-Fosu was the guest speaker at MSU convocation. Photo by Izziel Latour
Elanor Bristow watches her best friend, Lexi Malone, on stage at Midwestern State University Convocation. Photo by Bradley Wilson
Elanor Bristow watches her best friend, Lexi Malone, on stage at Midwestern State University Convocation. Photo by Bradley Wilson
Elanor Bristow watches her best friend, Lexi Malone, on stage at Midwestern State University Convocation. Photo by Bradley Wilson
Brett LaFleur and Cody Park give each other hug as part of the speaker's talk at Midwestern State University Convocation. Photo by Bradley Wilson
Brett LaFleur and Cody Park give each other hug as part of the speaker's talk at Midwestern State University Convocation. Photo by Bradley Wilson
Brett LaFleur and Cody Park give each other hug as part of the speaker's talk at Midwestern State University Convocation. Photo by Bradley Wilson
Lindsey Shelley, student regent and a master's student in nursing, sings the alma mater at Midwestern State University Convocation. Photo by Bradley Wilson
Lindsey Shelley, student regent and a master's student in nursing, sings the alma mater at Midwestern State University Convocation. Photo by Bradley Wilson
Lindsey Shelley, student regent and a master's student in nursing, sings the alma mater at Midwestern State University Convocation. Photo by Bradley Wilson
Allison Cisneros, radiology freshman, won a $500 gift certificate at MWSU convocation, Aug. 30, as did Jamilah Kangudia, athletic training freshman. Photo by Izziel Latour
Allison Cisneros, radiology freshman, won a $500 gift certificate at MWSU convocation, Aug. 30, as did Jamilah Kangudia, athletic training freshman. Photo by Izziel Latour
Allison Cisneros, radiology freshman, won a $500 gift certificate at MWSU convocation, Aug. 30, as did Jamilah Kangudia, athletic training freshman. Photo by Izziel Latour
at Midwestern State University Convocation. Photo by Bradley Wilson
at Midwestern State University Convocation. Photo by Bradley Wilson
at Midwestern State University Convocation. Photo by Bradley Wilson
