Published: Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2008 / Updated: Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2008 01:58 PM

Winthrop welcomes freshman class

Words of advice include the practical and comical

Winthrop University's incoming freshman class got plenty of advice Monday afternoon.

The class of 2012 listened quietly during the university's annual convocation as speakers shared insights, words of encouragement and some useful tips.

"Two words," said Tatiana Sosa, head of the Council of Student Leaders. "Shower shoes."

After the audience finished laughing, Sosa continued with a list of pointers the 21-year-old senior said she wished someone had given her as a freshman. She urged students to get involved with campus groups, be open minded and take advantage of campus facilities such as the library and the fitness center.

Also, "save papers (you are working on) every 15 minutes," Sosa said. Nothing's worse than working on a paper for three hours (to) lose it in three seconds."

Each year, on the day before classes start, university professors and leaders welcome freshmen during convocation.

After a round of speeches, students in navy blue and white Winthrop T-shirts follow the president and faculty out of the auditorium, forming a long-held tradition -- the blue line.

The tradition dates to 1895, when Winthrop's first president led students in blue and white uniforms down Oakland Avenue to attend church services the first Sunday before classes began.

Monday's rain prompted the cancellation of the blue line and moved community picnic indoors, where students were greeted by representatives from churches, businesses and student groups.

Convocation keynote speaker Lia Newman told students to get to know their professors and be open to new things. She recounted fond memories of her four-and-a-half years as a Winthrop student before she graduated in 1999.

"You have no idea what we would've given to have a coffee shop on campus (like there is now)," she said.

The art history and fine arts double major credited her Winthrop education with her accomplishments since 2002. Newman has been director of programs and exhibitions at the nonprofit Artspace in Raleigh, N.C. She oversees more than 30 exhibitions a year.

Newman, now a graduate student at Duke University, told the group she attended that school's convocation last week.

"I can only hope that my Duke experience can live up to my Winthrop experience," she said.