Ashesi’s Class of 2028 brought sunshine to a cloudy morning as they moved onto campus on Saturday, January 4. Student and staff volunteers were on hand to help incoming students find their way around their new home and connect with their new colleagues and friends. 

At a goal-setting event led by the University’s Coaching and Counseling Department, students expressed a range of aspirations, from “…invent something that can help people all over the world,” to “…become the best version of myself.”

Students also shared a mix of nerves and eagerness as they navigated the various move-in processes. Twins Nadia ’28 and Nadine ’28, Business Administration and Computer Science majors, respectively, explained that they were excited and overwhelmed at the same time. They had applied together, but were not sure whether they would both get into the Class of 2028. “I’m looking forward to the campus experience, developing leadership skills, and the good, challenging academics,” shared Nadia.  

Parents and guardians also expressed their hopes for the class, as well as some words of wisdom. Imam Abdul-Rauf Hamudu, who accompanied his niece and Computer Science student Adama Baba ’28, said “Education is the key to everything. It’s a blessing to get this opportunity.” His advice to his niece?  “I know what she can do, and I believe in her.” 

 Following Move-In Day, the Class of 2028 participated in a full week of orientation programming to help adjust to campus life and start learning about Ashesi’s community.  Sessions included those with University President Patrick Awuah, who led a conversation on the Ashesi Way, and with faculty on teaching and learning at Ashesi. 

The week culminated in a matriculation ceremony on Friday, January 10, the official induction of Ashesi students. Provost Angela Owusu-Ansah spoke to the incoming students about Ashesi’s key tenets of scholarship, leadership, and citizenship, encouraging students to be open-minded and to think about how they may live out these values in every aspect of their journeys as students at Ashesi.  The event also included a ceremony during which the incoming Ashesi Student Council President, Sam Yussif ‘26, led the students to drink out of calabashes as a symbolic gesture representing their formal induction as Ashesi students. 

“We encourage you to embrace fresh and new thinking. You are so fortunate to have such an array of different countries represented in your classroom, in addition to the different learnings you’re going to do and the discipline you signed up for,” the provost said.  

In his address to the class, Dean of Students and Community Affairs Abdul Mahdi emphasized that growth lies on the other side of any experiences they might face over the next few years at Ashesi.  

“The education you receive here is a powerful dynamic toolbox that ensures that you will be able to meet any challenge or opportunity in the future,’ he shared. “While we expert you to be versatile and utilize the toolbox with creativity and flexibility, we encourage you to be inflexible with your values. Whatever you do, wherever you are, be a man or woman of integrity.”