The 172nd academic year at Bridgewater State University began with the annual opening day breakfast in the Flynn Dining Commons, where President Dana Mohler-Faria spoke before an audience of more than 700 faculty and staff, sharing his thoughts on plans accomplished and developments to come.

"This weekend, as students were moving in, I walked around the campus and was impressed with how enthusiastic the students were," he said. "It's wonderful to watch them and look into their faces and see the excitement in their eyes."

Speakers at the Opening Day convocation held in the Campus Center auditorium gave hundreds of incoming students similar advice: cherish your time at BSU and experience all the university has to offer.

Taking the podium to offer words of wisdom, President Dana Molher-Faria told the Class of 2016 to savor their first year at BSU. He told the students to seize challenging opportunities that will help them grow academically and personally, and prepare them for life outside college.