NU Welcomes Class Of 2018 With New Student Convocation
Dr. Michael Barnwell has a penchant for connecting with students. It’s a major reason why he was selected as the 2013 recipient of Niagara University’s Excellence in Teaching Award.
So it shouldn’t have come as too big of a surprise when the Yale-trained philosophy professor related his remarks during Friday’s New Student Convocation to dating.
“If I’m going to make a speech, I’m going to make sure that it’s short and that it’s relevant to your lives,” Dr. Barnwell said during NU’s 12th annual ceremonial welcome to the newest members of its community.
“I was in your shoes once, I was a new student at school listening to the speeches, and the thing I was thinking about most at that moment was, ‘I wonder if that girl I saw at check-in would ever go on a date with me.’ And since I imagine some of you are thinking the way I was, I’m going to give you some dating advice,” he offered.
The purpose of Dr. Barnwell’s animated, counterintuitive, 14-minute message was to help students understand how studying at a liberal arts-based institution like Niagara will make them “interesting.” The liberal arts, according to Dr. Barnwell, will make students both interesting and critical thinkers, two important aspects in terms of both dating and job prospects.
After all, “Who wants to date dull people? Who wants to hire a dull person?” he asked. “They’re dull.”