University Welcomes Class of 2028 at Fall Convocation

Author, social scientist Arthur Brooks tells students to seek true happiness

By Clara Turnage

More than 5,000 new University of Mississippi students flooded The Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss for Fall Convocation on Tuesday, August 27, to learn about one thing: Happiness.

Happiness is not a feeling, but a direction, a lifelong goal that changes over time, said Arthur Brooks, renowned social scientist and author and the 2024 Convocation keynote speaker. But it is always achievable, he assured.

Chancellor Glenn Boyce emphasized the importance of leadership and fulfillment in his address to the incoming freshmen and transfer students during the event, which was the 176th time Ole Miss has welcomed new students to campus.

“You will look back at this time and realize it was the beginning of an extraordinary journey—a journey that will go by quickly, I promise you,” Boyce said. “Students, I want you to know that your journey isn’t just about where you land four years from now.

“It’s about all the experiences you take with you from these four years.”

The road to a happy life often begins with experiences with friends and family, but it does not end there, Brooks said. Living happily is a way of looking at life, overcoming challenges, and finding meaning.

“The main thing you are here to learn is not your major, not how to make a living; it’s the ‘why’ of your life,” he said. “This is the adventure. This is the journey. Let me tell you what it is.

“This, ultimately, is what I came where to talk to you about.”

Brooks, a Harvard leadership professor, partnered with Oprah Winfrey, the lauded talk show host, philanthropist, and producer from Kosciusko, to write Build the Life You Want: The Art and Science of Getting Happier (Penguin, 2023).

Brooks and Winfrey’s book, which was chosen as the university’s 2024 Common Reading Experience selection, explains the science behind happiness and how to cultivate it. Every new student received a copy of the book.

To be happier, one must first understand what happiness is, Brooks said.

“To say feelings and happiness are the same thing is like saying the smell of Thanksgiving dinner is the same as your Thanksgiving dinner,” he said. “Happiness is more tangible than your feelings. It’s something you can study, get better at and that you can share.”

Brooks often asks his students two questions: “Why are you alive?” and “For what would you give your life right now, happily?” Finding the answers to these questions can point one in the direction of happiness, he said.

“So, what are your answers, my friends?” he said. “Good news, if you don’t have them, you have four years to figure it out. This is the time to find the essence of who you are, for the essence of why you exist.”

For Bridges McGowen, a freshman integrated marketing communication major from Hattiesburg, happiness is learning to be himself and be confident in who he is.

“Anybody can be happy,” McGowen said. “It doesn’t matter where you’re from or what you want to do—if you even know what you want to do. That’s what I think he was saying.

“Being happy, for me, is being myself, even when it’s hard.”

As Jimmil Taylor, a freshman public policy and leadership major from Biloxi, and Avery Martin, a freshman psychology and pre-law student from Sardis, waited in line for Brooks to sign their copy of his book, they said they also want to incorporate happiness into their careers and lives.

“It’s OK that we don’t have our whole lives planned,” Martin said. “It’s OK to take every moment at a time. This is the place to find ourselves and find happiness.”

Christian Griffin, a freshman from Okolona who is studying computer science, said he was most inspired by Boyce’s call for students to be leaders in whatever they do.

“For me, that means showing up to class 15 minutes early, studying hard, and showing everyone that I’m dedicated,” he said. “(Boyce) was talking about being a leader and taking advantage of the opportunities here. That’s what I want to do.”