WKU Holds 2026 Convocation to Welcome New Students

Wenzhou-Kean University (WKU) welcomed nearly 1,700 new students at its 2026 Convocation Ceremony on September 8. Chaired by Dr. Eric Yang, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, the ceremony was also livestreamed, allowing families, alumni, friends and other members of the WKU community to join the celebration remotely.

The ceremony opened with the national anthems of the People’s Republic of China and the United States of America.

Dr. Li Xiaonian, Chancellor of WKU, delivered the keynote address,"Freedom and Self-Awareness." He encouraged students to embrace lifelong learning, develop independent and critical thinking, and make the most of the opportunities available to them. “Through learning and practice, I hope you will move from making free choices to growing with selfawareness,” he said, emphasizing sound judgment and personal responsibility. He stressed the importance of staying connected to Chinese culture while keeping an open mind toward the world, with the goal of fostering greater understanding between China and the world.

Dr. Lamont Repollet, President of Kean University, joined the ceremony virtually and extended a warm welcome to the 2026 cohort of new undergraduate and postgraduate students. He highlighted the continued growth of collaboration between Kean University and WKU. He encouraged students to step beyond familiar boundaries, stay curious and learn from people with different experiences. “Wherever you go, make that place better because you are there,” he said.

Deans and faculty representatives from WKU’s academic colleges delivered remarks to welcome the newest members of the WKU community and encourage them as they begin their university journey.

Jingyu Ma, a psychology alumna from WKU’s Class of 2025, summed up her college experience in two words: “opportunity and courage.” “Opportunities alone are not enough. We also need the courage to take them,” she said, inspiring students to stay curious and explore. Guo Xinying, the undergraduate student representative, shared her experience with WKU’s openminded classroom environment. She called on fellow students to step beyond their comfort zones, embrace challenges and discover their full potential. She was followed by graduate representative Hang Li, who reminded new students to engage with diverse perspectives and make the most of every experience along their university journey.

As the ceremony drew to a close, Dr. Eric Yang reminded the  2026 freshmen that their university life at WKU was just beginning. He invited students to begin at WKU with the world in mind, broaden their horizons through learning, make thoughtful choices, and carry the perspective, courage and strength gained at WKU into the possibilities ahead.