President, provost: Take advantage of all U has to offer

1) There are several athletic buildings/facilities named for women. Identify three of them.
2) What is the oldest building on campus?
3) At the President's House, how many windows with shutters face South University?
4) Where is the Wallenberg memorial?
5) Where is the Wave Field and who designed it?

These are among the questions new students were asked to answer in the first ever University of Michigan Provost's Challenge, announced by Provost and Executive Vice President Teresa Sullivan during New Student Convocation Aug. 31. (Answers below).

As a relative newcomer to U-M, having arrived June 1, Sullivan decided to help students learn about the rich heritage of their new campus in short order by establishing a fun competition that would involve individuals and teams working to cram in as much exploration as possible before an 11:59 p.m. Sept 4 deadline.

"In the past three months, I've had a great deal of fun exploring the campus and I've learned quite a bit about this remarkable institution," Sullivan said. "The summer is relatively quiet and so I've been able to walk around and discover a great deal about the campus. You don't have that luxury ... "

Regent Katherine White (left) and Vice President for Government Relations Cynthia Wilbanks (right) enjoy LSA senior Jillian Walker's rendition of the R&B classic "Respect" during the New Student Convocation Aug. 31 at Crisler Arena. (Photo by Martin Vloet, U-M Photo Services)

New Student Convocation, held in Crisler Arena, is the official kick-off for the Welcome to Michigan program, during which students can take part in some 200 activities across campus. The event offers students and parents a chance to hear from the University president, provost and student government leaders.

"You bring unique perspectives, diverse experiences, and considerable intellect to this community. We look forward to learning with you and from you in the year ahead," Sullivan told members of the class of 2010, representing some 5,400 students from 50 states and 59 countries, chosen from more than 25,000 applicants.

"Our job as faculty members is to help you build the foundations that will enable you to lead lives of meaning and value. To do that, we have assembled here an excellent faculty, first-rate learning facilities including classrooms, laboratories, libraries, and museums, and classmates who will become life-long friends. I urge you to take advantage of all that the University of Michigan offers and am confident that doing so will yield rewards for the rest of your life."

Echoing that U-M is a place with much to offer, President Mary Sue Coleman urged students to "think of the University as your intellectual iPod."

"As students at a great research university, you have thousands upon thousands of opportunities to download and customize to meet your interests, your moods, and your style.

"The iPod is a cultural phenomenon—like the University. It encourages creativity and individuality—like the University. And, really, once you get the hang of it, you just can't do without it—just like the University," Coleman said, encouraging students to load up on First-Year Seminars, dive into research alongside a professor in the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program, explore programs beyond the classroom, consider study abroad and build new relationships.

"So plug in to Michigan! Turn it up! And always, Go Blue!"

Profile of the Class of 2010

• More than 1,400 scored between 650 and 800 on the verbal portion of the SAT, 2,248 students scored 650 or better on the math portion and 11 members attained a perfect score of 1600;

• Among those who took the ACT, 36 percent had a composite score between 30 and 36, a level only 4 percent of students nationwide achieved. Of these 308 had perfect scores of 36;

• The average GPA is 3.80 and more than 1,300 members achieved a perfect 4.0; and

• 3,400 received scores of 3 or higher on Advanced Placement tests.

In high school:

• 28 percent were elected to at least one student government office;

• Nearly one quarter received all-city, all-league, all-county or all-state awards in athletics;

• More than 45 percent presented musical recitals in places such as Carnegie Hall, and 56 percent played a musical instrument;

• 60 percent participated in civics projects, 36 percent volunteered in a community health setting, and some 30 percent received an award for community service;

• Approximately 20 percent have published poems, stories, essays and articles, or have worked as editors of their high school newspapers or yearbooks; and

• One in ten has started a business

Answers: 1) Margaret Bell Pool, Phyllis Ocker field hockey field and Marie Hartwig Administration Building; 2) Burnham House in Nichols Arboretum, built in 1837 but moved to campus 1997; 3) 11; 4) Front lawn of the Art & Architecture Building on North Campus ; 5) On North Campus outside the Francois-Xavier Bagnoud Building that houses the Department of Atmospheric Oceanic and Space Sciences. Designed by Maya Lyn.