On Monday, more than six hundred first-year students of the Class of 2029 gathered together for the first time in NYU Shanghai’s gymnasium for the University Welcome Ceremony.
University leaders Chancellor Tong Shijun, Vice Chancellor Jeffrey Lehman, and incoming Provost Bei Wu, offered their words of advice to the incoming students on how best to navigate the next four years.
Chancellor Tong Shijun encouraged the incoming students to venture beyond the classroom and textbooks and fully utilize the resources of Shanghai, New York, and around the world. “Make the world your major—let curiosity be your compass, and responsibility your anchor,” he told them.
Vice Chancellor Jeffrey Lehman shared his secrets for success at NYU Shanghai, advising the incoming students to use their college years to the fullest and expand themselves not just academically, but also personally and socially, embracing new experiences. “If you commit yourself to stretching every day and to mastering civil disagreement, these four years will be among the most exciting and gratifying years of your life,” he said.
Incoming Provost Wu Bei spoke to the Class of 2029 about their shared experience of choosing NYU Shanghai. “Just three months ago, I made the decision to join NYU Shanghai, just as you made the decision to begin your college journey here,” she said. “Over the next four years, I sincerely hope that, for all of us, this decision will prove to be the right one: a decision that opens doors to growth, discovery, and lasting connections.”
Zhang Keqin, a first-year student from Zhejiang Province said that one piece of advice from leadership had stuck with her: spending two hours a day communicating in her second language with students from different cultural backgrounds. "My roommates are two American students,” she said, “and I want to try to follow their advice and give it a try."
American Ronan Markowski sat alongside his roommate, Miron Tursunov from Uzbekistan, each sporting a purple Class of 2029 t-shirt. Ronan, who has been studying Chinese since childhood, said he first heard about NYU Shanghai from his sixth grade Chinese teacher. "It has been my dream school ever since,” he said.
Assistant Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Dean of Students David Pe reminded students that amidst the excitement of starting their college journey, they need to prioritize self-care. “Today you begin to figure things out; to explore, make mistakes, and celebrate your first victories,” he said. “Remember to pause along the way: to step back, to play, and to find joy throughout your days and over the next four years.”
The first-year students were also welcomed by NYU Shanghai’s Qilin mascot, a crew of Orientation Ambassadors and Welcome Ambassadors, as well as Student Government representatives Zhang Shuyu ’26 and Xiang Rong ’28, who all hyped them up for the beginning of an exciting Fall semester.