Today APU conducted opening ceremonies in Millennium Hall for all Fall 2005 new students. Monte Kassim, APU’s top-dog, kicked things off with a short speech telling us how much we all kick ass. Of course he didn’t say it in as many words, but he did say that APU has hit 80 nationalities this fall in only its 5th year of operation, making it the most internationally diverse university in the world. On top of that, 98% of job-seeking seniors in the most recent graduating class were hired by companies in Japan or back in their home country. That ain’t too shabby. His was the first speech among a half dozen we heard from a stage full of important people I don’t think I’ll ever see again.

While Monte’s speech assured me I made the correct choice in coming here, as well it should, all the hot air from the ranking old people was only the pregame show. The audience was growing restless…

Thankfully, the real opening ceremony was conducted by the students once they had carted all the grandpas and grandmas off the stage in wheelchairs.

The presentation began innocently enough, with a Japanese college student wearing traditional garb trying to warm up the crowd with broken English.

It wasn’t long though before things got a lot more interesting, starting off with some nasty baton twirlage / gymnastics combos by the ladies in black.

Following them was the 10 member brass band with some rockin’ tunes, including a nice spotlight duet.

Once they trotted off the stage, out came the cheerleaders. Oh yes, the APU Lilies REPRESENT!

Now, perhaps I was unlucky, but both my high school and college cheerleading squads were, shall we say, less than inspiring. These ladies on the other hand completely brought the house down with some ESPN caliber Jock Jams stuff. It was amazing. In short, it was brought…

Culminating in a huge finale, the student presentation left the entire place charged with incredible energy, and left me totally, totally pumped to be here. Most Triumphant.