TAMPA – The fall semester brought a new tradition for freshmen at the University of
South Florida Muma College of Business — a convocation to mark the start of their
academic journeys.
College leaders welcomed 500 members of the Class of 2030 into their new academic
home at its inaugural New Student Convocation on Aug 28.
First-year business students packed into the Oval Theater at the Marshall Student
Center, with some having to find balcony seats. The hour-long program featured inspiring
speeches from students and alumni, real-time polls about majors, and academic advisors
tossing T-shirts.
Muma College of Business Dean David Blackwell welcomed the new students, reminding
them that they are joining a powerful network that includes over 8,000 students, 400
faculty and staff, and more than 77,000 alumni.
“My challenge to you is to find your place to plug into USF,” Blackwell said, encouraging
them to connect with a student organization, get to know the faculty, and schedule
an appointment with their advisor to get help laying out an academic plan for the
next four years.
He also encouraged them to find an internship and to explore study abroad opportunities.
Second-year accountancy major Callaway Johnson, a member of the Bulls Business Community,
the Bulls Business Program, a USF Orientation Leader, and a Peer Advisor Leader, told
the class her first-year experience didn’t go smoothly or perfectly but advised her
peers to trust the process.
“Every single experience, every unexpected challenge, and every sudden hurdle shaped
me into the person I am today,” she said.
She told students to expect plans to change. She came to USF with a detailed roadmap.
She thought she knew how it would unfold and what specific organizations she would
get involved in. But some of her biggest plans fell through.
“College has a unique way of humbling you, and it does so in the best possible way,”
she said. “There were plenty of moments where I felt overwhelmed, unsure of myself,
and worried that I wasn’t doing college ‘the right way’.”
Other speakers included Bull alumni Mosheh Vann and Renata Martins.
Vann said he was sitting where they were eight years ago as a first-generation college
student.
He said he had no idea what career path he wanted to take. He had no career mapped
out. He wanted to find out what was possible. That curiosity led him to numerous opportunities
and gave him the confidence to chase his dreams.
“You never know which person sitting next to you will eventually open a door for you,”
he said. “And you never know which opportunity will lead to the next one."
Vann advised students to meet people. Not to be afraid of being uncomfortable. And
that it’s OK to change your mind.
“And remember, you don’t have to be perfect. You just have to try,” he said.
Fellow alumna Martins encouraged students to do three things: find mentors, get involved,
and say yes before they feel ready.
She graduated in 2020 with a bachelor’s degree in global business. At Cintas, she
went from being an intern to a sales rep to leading her own team as a service manager.
In 2021, she delivered a TEDx talk about the power of mentorship and in 2024, she
left the corporate world to be a volunteer missionary in Europe, Asia, and South America.
She told students they do not need to have their entire career figured out today.
Just say yes enough to discover what you are good at, what you care about, and who
you might become.
“Four years from now, I hope you leave Muma with more than a great resume,” she said.
“I hope you leave with embarrassing stories, meaningful relationships, opportunities,
and memories that you kept showing up before you felt ready.”
Blackwell closed the event by challenging the students to find their why.
“We are here to empower you to achieve your dreams. I can’t wait to see what all of
you will accomplish,” he said.