From left, Misha Chopp, Kelsey Whitaker and Hilary Golubski, all freshmen from Overland Park, react to an introductory video about Kansas University on Wednesday during the convocation at the Lied Center. KU classes begin today.

It was the final pep talk for hundreds of Kansas University students who will start their college careers today.

“The search for victory grows out of a desire to be the best. You should not avoid such competition,” Chancellor Robert Hemenway told more than 1,000 students on hand for KU’s 143rd convocation Wednesday night at the Lied Center.

Hemenway and other KU administrators celebrated KU’s academic and athletic successes from last year as they urged new students and faculty to get involved on campus.

“It takes every single one of us – students, faculty and staff – to realizing our goal of being a lively, exciting world-class teaching and learning community,” Provost Richard Lariviere said.

It was also an opportunity for the new students to get one more crack at singing the Alma Mater and belting out the Rock Chalk Chant before fall classes and activities begin.

“With the arrival of each new class, the university is re-energized and reinvented,” said KU Medical Center Executive Vice Chancellor Barbara Atkinson.

The memory of KU’s athletic success last year should help boost confidence across the university this year, said senior Adam McGonigle, the student body president.

“Without a doubt, it’s a great slogan and so fitting because we are the champions,” McGonigle said.

In case you were wondering, Mario Chalmers is still the king.

A photograph on the big screen Wednesday night of his game-tying three-point shot in April’s national championship game elicited a huge cheer from the students on hand.

“It seems not to have been forgotten by anyone,” Hemenway said of KU’s Orange Bowl victory and basketball national championship. “I said it the other night. : Why not do it again? Let’s go get a couple more championships this year.”