Freshmen Arrive at Western Connecticut State University For Words of Wisdom

Hundreds of freshmen lined up on White Street Friday awaiting their march through the gates for what will be four years of study. They wore blue T-shirts and the faculty wore their university colors.

Trey Cole, 18, a graduate of Jonathan Law High School in Milford, was first in line. He was carrying the sissors he would cut the ribbon with that held the university's gates closed. Cole said the fact he ended up first in line, proved nothing.

One of the organizers said line up, and he was standing nearby.

Jamie Maitland, 18, who graduated from Central High School in Bridgeport, said that's pretty much how it went for her. She followed Cole.

Maitland said she picked WCSU because it has a highly-regarded nursing program.

Cole said he hunted around for a direction and when he settled on broadcast journalism, he picked WCSU.

"Someday you'll see me on ESPN," Cole said.

A few people back stood Anthony Sambucci, of Queens, NY. He said he picked WCSU because it felt right when he visited it.

David Smith, Ph.D., and winner of the university's Teaching Excellence Award, urged students to, "Work hard and play hard."

James Schmotter, Ph.D., and university president, told students they will be surprised by college. He called it a step by step process. He said sometimes it's tough, but keep moving forward. He offered them three tips for success.

Go to class was number one.

Get to know one professor out of the classroom in the first semester.

Be involved in an activity or club.

"There will be days when you doubt that you'll get to the goal, but if you keep taking it step by step in one direction, one of these days, four years from now, we'll be over on the university's West Side campus, and you'll be wearing one of these," Schmotter said, touching his robe. The university holds graduation on the west side. "Then you'll know every step, step by step, was worth it."