Northwestern University in Qatar formally welcomed the Class of 2029 at its annual Convocation ceremony, where members of the community and guests gathered to mark the beginning of the students’ undergraduate journey. Delivering the convocation keynote, Miriam Gamoran Sherin, Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education at Northwestern University, reflected on the importance of this transitional moment and outlined guiding principles for the years ahead.
Addressing the new students, Sherin underscored that Convocation represents a pivotal milestone in their lives. “There are only a few moments in our lives when our worlds pivot, when we really do not know what our lives will be like tomorrow,” she said. “For all of you in the Class of 2029, today is one of them.”
Acknowledging both the excitement and uncertainty that accompany such a transition, Sherin encouraged students to embrace this period with openness and patience. “These moments are wonderful and exhilarating,” she noted. “But they also can seem overwhelming and even a bit frightening. You know part of the path that you have chosen, but other aspects remain unknown, and will gradually reveal themselves over the next four years.”
In her remarks, Sherin outlined three themes she urged students to consider as they begin their studies: the importance of personal narratives, the discipline of noticing, and the value of community.
“A moment that is challenging now might in the future feel like a key moment when we learned to do something new, when we persevered through a difficult time, or when we came to see a new part of ourselves. Your story is developing and evolving. Have patience with yourself, and have confidence that this is a worthwhile and meaningful journey”
Reflecting on the role of stories in shaping identity, she cited the research of Northwestern psychologist Dan McAdams. “Narrative identity is one of the ways we understand who we are,” she explained. “A moment that is challenging now might in the future feel like a key moment when we learned to do something new, when we persevered through a difficult time, or when we came to see a new part of ourselves. Your story is developing and evolving. Have patience with yourself, and have confidence that this is a worthwhile and meaningful journey.”
On the importance of noticing, Sherin emphasized that awareness is both an everyday activity and a practice that can be cultivated. For the new students, she said, this includes recognizing when to seek assistance. “One of the most important things you can do is to notice when you need help,” she said, highlighting the academic resources available on campus. “Remember, success is not a solo endeavor.”
Sherin concluded with a focus on community, underscoring the collaborative nature of learning. “We learn through talking with others, by explaining our ideas to our peers, by sharing our thinking through writing and filmmaking and reporting,” she said. “This is something I think we do so well at Northwestern – bring people together to share and learn in ways that have the potential to transform not only ourselves and our communities, but also the world.”
Having served as an educator throughout her career, Sherin reflected on her visits to Northwestern Qatar and the vitality students bring to the institution. “It is you and your fellow students who provide the energy that brings the University to life anew each year,” she said in closing.
As convocation speaker, Sherin joined Northwestern Qatar Dean and CEO Marwan M. Kraidy in addressing the Class of 2029, one of the most accomplished and dynamic incoming cohorts in the school’s history. Representing several countries and cultures, the incoming students bring talents in writing, filmmaking, debating, content creation, screenwriting, and more.
