On the afternoon of October 14, the 2025 New Student Convocation for SWUFE-Baruch 3+1 BBA Program in Accounting was grandly held in Conference Room 101 of Hongyuan Building. Li Zhisheng, a Member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Committee and Vice President of the Southwestern University of Finance and Economics (SWUFE); Wang Yeting, Director of the Office of International Exchange and Cooperation; Xu Xiaohui, Director of the Student Work Department; and Wang Kai, Deputy Director of the Academic Affairs Office and Director of the Experimental Teaching Management Center, attended to provide guidance. Myung-Soo Lee, former Provost of Baruch College, City University of New York (CUNY) and former Director of the Weissman Center for International Business; Aloe Yan, Deputy Director of International Programs; Peter Kramer, Visiting Assistant Professor of Baruch College; Tang Xuesong, Dean of the School of Accounting; Zhang Taifu, Deputy Secretary of the CPC Committee of SWUFE; Yi Yang, Vice Dean; teachers from the project management team; and all freshmen in the 2025 program attended the convocation.
Li Zhisheng delivered a speech at the convocation, extending a warm welcome to all freshmen on behalf of SWUFE. He highlighted the notable achievements of the SWUFE-CUNY Baruch Accounting Program since its establishment, emphasized its unique advantages and characteristics, and reiterated SWUFE's strong commitment and high expectations for the program. He encouraged the 2025 freshmen to embrace challenges, cultivate curiosity, and remain passionate about knowledge throughout their academic and life journey. He urged students to make the most of their time at SWUFE and Baruch College, apply themselves diligently, and strive for continuous dedication.
Tang Xuesong delivered a welcome address, noting that amid rapid scientific and technological development and the rise of artificial intelligence in the new era, students should learn and leverage these advancements to become well-rounded talents with multi-disciplinary skills He illustrated, with real examples, the irreplaceable role of accounting in today's society and provided insights into the academic development and employment prospects within the accounting profession.
David Wu, President of Baruch College, CUNY, and Bruce Weber, Dean of the Jacklin School of Business, extended their warm welcome to the freshmen remotely via video. They introduced Baruch College's leading accounting curriculum in the United States and expressed their strong affirmation and support for the SWUFE-CUNY Baruch Accounting Program. They expressed hope to welcome the program's students in New York in three years and looked forward to their outstanding achievements in the future.
Wang Yeting, Xu Xiaohui, and Wang Kai each delivered speeches, advising students to focus on their academic courses while making full use of the abundant resources provided by both universities through this collaborative program. They encouraged students to pursue comprehensive development, engage in exploration and practice, and realize their dreams and aspirations. The speakers also urged students to plan for the future, set their goals, and make reasonable plans for four years of college. In addition, strive to become exemplary talents with both patriotism and a global vision.
Myung-Soo Lee welcomes the new students. He shared his appreciation for both the students and faculty involved in the program and shared his expectations for the SWUFE-CUNY Baruch Accounting Program in the future. He discussed potential challenges students may encounter in academics, daily life, and future employment, and offered suggestions for overcoming them. He encouraged students to uphold the program's spirit, that is, to remain diligent in studies and overcome difficulties.
Aloe Yan and Peter Kramer greeted all faculty and students, expressing their delight at returning to Chengdu and SWUFE. They exchanged gifts with the School of Accounting, which symbolize the friendly cooperation and cultural ties between the two universities.
During the Q&A and exchange session, students participated enthusiastically. Myung-Soo Lee responded to their questions with patience and humor, addressing concerns about future studies and life. He also provided advice and guidance for students preparing to study and live in the United States.
He Meitong and Wang Xudong, students from the 2024 Accounting Program, served as hosts for the convocation. Greeting videos of graduates from previous Accounting Programs were played at the convocation. The 2025 freshmen, wearing cultural shirts designed by the program team, warmly applauded the leaders and faculty for their heartfelt messages. The convocation concluded successfully.
