during a convocation ceremony yesterday at the South Shore, Paget campus.

And college president George Cook told the new students to "take full advantage of all this college has to offer and you will be successful. In your success lies Bermuda College's success and Bermuda's success.'' He said: "As freshmen you have entrusted us with providing you with that high quality education that you need to face the challenges and opportunities of this rapidly changing world.

"We make this commitment to you, before your parents and our honoured guests -- we are student-centred and we undertake to do all we can to assist you to be successful and we look forward to your graduation at a future commencement ceremony with a credential of real value that prepares you well for the next stage of your life-long education.'' And Dr. Cook added that while the college existed to support the students, they also had to be committed to their goals and "to taking full advantage of the people, programmes, services and facilities here.

"It will not be easy, but it will be worthwhile.'' It was also a historic time for the college, continued Dr. Cook, as the campus was due to be completed in October creating a magnificent facility for more than 500 full-time students and the nearly 4,000 more students taking part-time classes.

Also welcoming the new students before the crowd of more than 200 people was chairman of the board of governor's James King.

Dr. King said: "Your being here makes a statement that you are determined to seek an education for yourselves.

"Take advantage of all the college has to offer and what the facility can provide -- the emphasis is on you to take advantage of this opportunity to go forward and secure the education you seek.'' Oneia Trott, a representative of the 1996 graduating class, told the new students: "If you do not understand something in class, do not be discouraged.'' Instead, she advised them to take advantage of the support services that were available and consider them "another step toward achieving their goals.

"Be prepared to work hard and to have fun.'' Before the ceremony closed with the raising of the college flag, the 25 students on the 1996 President's List for achieving a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or above for the previous academic year were announced by academic and student affairs vice-president Solange Saltus.

WELCOME HWA EDC RG P5 27.8.1996 Y Photo courtesy of Ernest McCreight WELCOME -- Last year's student council president and 1996 graduate Oneia Trott welcomes the freshmen class of 1996/97 to the Bermuda College "family'' at yesterday's convocation ceremony.