Guttentag gave a shoutout to first-year students from Alaska, Montana, North and South Dakota and Wyoming, who made it possible for Duke to hit the 50-state mark this year for the first time in many years. He also acknowledged those students who took a gap year before coming to Duke to experience the world, whether studying robotics in Japan, creating a docuseries on shark conservation in Uruguay, or by summiting Mount Kilimanjaro.

Curran Little-Jensen, an engineering student from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, said he selected Duke because “it felt like the right size, the campus was great, and the people were so nice. It just felt right.”

President Vincent Price reminded the Class of 2028 of the university’s rich history and traditions of the past and told them that Duke’s second century “is now in your hands, and in those of your classmates.”

Price also encouraged students to seek out new ideas and challenges. He offered advice about keeping an open mind when engaging with others with differing views.

“Bringing you together and creating conditions under which you can learn together, challenge each other, trust each other to talk honestly and listen carefully, and entertain the possibility that you might, just might be wrong — that is Duke’s gift to each of you,” he said. (Read the full text on the president’s website.)

Heather Raslan, president of Duke Student Government and a senior, urged students to take advantage of the “limitless opportunities,” even if certain experiences were outside their comfort zone.

“Invest in yourself, even when it leads to setbacks, say yes to the unexpected, and stay active in the never-ending opportunities for connection on this campus,” Raslan told them. “Attach your name to work that is a product of your life's experience and knowledge, not because it is easy but because no one else can.”

Following the speeches and the students’ singing of Duke’s alma mater for the first time, all filed out of Cameron to enjoy frozen treats and to mingle with administrators and President Price.

Hannon Stern from Connecticut and Pia Visaria of New Jersey were among those enjoying the day’s events.

“I felt the community, it was nice to be with the whole freshman class. It was a nice introduction to Duke,” Stern said.

Visaria added: “Hearing members of the faculty and the president welcome us to Duke was a great way to end off the week before we start classes tomorrow.”

Nearby a group of international students gathered for a group photo. Iman Gadzhikulieva, a student from Russia, plans to study biology at Duke. She said she came to Duke because of the research opportunities and the close connection between faculty and students.

“I love the balance of academics and social life here, it’s a big thing at Duke, not only studying but having fun and living the life of a student. I absolutely love this campus, it’s amazing.”