St. John Arena was filled yesterday morning with incoming freshmen looking for guidance and support from the administrators speaking at the 2001 Convocation.

The Ohio State Marching Band performed different songs and chants while the students filed in.

Most of them experienced their first day on campus the day before.

This year was different than previous convocations though, in light of the tragedies that befell America last week in New York and Washington.

Eddie Pauline, Undergraduate Student Government president, started off the event by requesting a moment of silence from the crowd, followed by a display of patriotism with the singing of the national anthem.

OSU President William “Brit” Kirwan had many things to say regarding the attacks on America last week and how they affected the usually upbeat convocation.

“Under normal circumstances, this would be a day of joyous celebration. But these are not normal circumstances,” Kirwan said.

“After experiencing the shock and tragic events last week, we face new realities about our nation and the world. Our hearts go out to those students and to the families of all the thousands of people who were killed,” Kirwan said.

“We are all gazing at this suddenly changed world, trying to understand our place in it,” he said.

Kirwan went on to discuss unity and respect for one another in the future. He reminded students to act responsibly and not let their emotions take control of their actions.

“Our actions and words capture the essence of our university community … (we need to) practice tolerance, understanding and empathy. That we not make assumptions based on someone’s appearance. That we not judge one based on his or her ethnicity, nationality, or religion,” he said.

Kirwan praised the incoming freshman class as being the most talented of any class ever entering Ohio State, with an average ACT score of 25.2, and nearly 70 percent of the class leaving high school in the top fourth of their graduating class.

Kirwan ended the speech saying that the students were, “wading into the great ocean into college life,” and that he was proud to have them as students at Ohio State.

Among the other speakers was City Attorney Janet Jackson.

Jackson said, “Columbus is a city where there are only two colors that matter: scarlet and gray,” which was answered by thunderous applause.

She encouraged students to be active members in the community, and said that the city would try to provide a safe, nurturing environment in the campus area to make the school year safe and fun.

Football coach Jim Tressel was a surprise speaker, introduced by George Wang, a junior in molecular genetics.

Tressel spoke about his gratitude to his family, teachers, mentors and the importance to be respectful in everything a person does.

Tressel closed the event with the statement, “We are the greatest institution in America, and the greatest country in the world.”