Freshmen, finally free from their parents and almost ready to start their college lives, follow the directions through the doors of The Bryce Jordan Center and walk down the stairs to their seats. Row after row of students wait, sitting where many have cheered the Nittany Lions to victory and sang along with their favorite bands in concert.

What they await is an evening of advice like "take the initiative" and "get off to a great start here at Penn State."

This advice was the main theme of the President's Convocation on Saturday evening, one of several orientation events for new students. Before Penn State President Graham Spanier addressed the thousands in attendance, Undergraduate Student Government president and the evening's master of ceremonies Matt Roan and Mayor Bill Welch spoke to the large crowd, offering their advice to the incoming freshmen.

"Take the initiative to make your mark here at Penn State. . .find opportunities to challenge yourself," Roan said.

Welsh took the podium next, first listing the community's accomplishments, including blood drives, volunteer firefighters and Meals on Wheels. He also encouraged the students to become more involved in the community, saying that Penn State made up about 75 percent of State College and well over half of the Centre County region.

As students start their lives at Penn State, Welsh asked the freshmen to be responsible and respectful, and to strengthen the community by participating in local duties.

After a brief introduction listing his life accomplishments, Spanier stepped up to the podium. Spanier, who moved into supplemental housing for the weekend in order to be closer to the new students in their first week experiences, commended the crowd for being one of the most talented classes in Penn State's illustrious history.

"You are now part of one of the best institutions in America," he said, citing a statistic that one out of every 122 people with a college degree is a Penn State graduate.

One piece of Spanier's advice for the students was to get to know at least one member of the faculty and staff during the semester, whether through introduction, asking questions or visiting during office hours.

He mentioned there are hundreds of faculty and staff members at Penn State and asked all the faculty members present to stand up to a rousing applause from the crowd.

A more serious issue that Spanier addressed was alcohol and binge drinking. He mentioned a variety of alternate activities such as movies in the HUB-Robeson Center.

"Penn State has the most activities out of every university in America," he said.

Among his advice to the students was to plan ahead, work hard and become involved.

"Get off to the perfect start . . . your success here at Penn State is ultimately up to you," he said.

Orientation continues this week and goes through Oct. 3.

Students can find out about events by going to www.psu.edu/ouic/oef.html.