Freshman Convocation this year was defined by colorful pageantry and soaring oratory that was only heightened by the presence of Microsoft mogul, Bill Gates.

Speeches were given by dignitaries ranging from President Mark Emmert to ASUW President Antimo Bennett. The subject matter broached a variety of issues that began with Plato’s Academy and concluded with the current economic crisis.

Yet the theme of optimism was consistent throughout; each speaker stressed involvement on campus and community engagement as the keys to success.

As further tribute to such ideals, the UW awarded an honorary doctorate to William H. Gates Sr. His daughter, the UW Regent Kristianne Blake, read the citation to him. Among Gates Sr.’s qualifications, Blake noted how he raised, “a prodigiously gifted son who turned the world upside down, and then came to you for help in making his fortune a force of good in the world.”

Bill Gates was introduced by the UW Regent Craig Cole, who awarded him his honorary degree for changing the world twice through information technology and the charitable Bill and Melinda Gates foundation.

“Your greatest gift is compassion, your greatest legacy an unassailable optimism,” said Cole.

In his speech, Gates immediately struck a high note by satirizing his alleged nerdiness and by inserting irony into his opening remarks. He mentioned reading during football games and being a college dropout.

“Do they know I just quit a steady, well-paying job to volunteer for a non-profit?” said Gates upon accepting his honorary doctorate.

Gates then accounted a condensed version of the founding of Microsoft. He described how his fascination with computers inspired him and a group of cohorts to sneak into classrooms at Lakeside Preparatory School to tinker with the new, sophisticated machines.

When his school struck a deal with the Computer Center Corporation, students were allotted a specified amount of time to work with the computers. Gates and a couple of other Lakeside students, including Paul Allen, exploited this time by hacking into computers and altering files.

While this didn’t sit well with the company at first, the renegades were eventually given jobs at the corporation. In exchange for their work debugging computers, the students were given more computer time.

But there was a point to be made in Gates’ speech as he recounted his experience at the Institute of Technology.

In order to overcome challenges, he said, we must grapple with complexity. This can be done by using the resources, peers and time we are given at the UW in order to “unlock stores of caring,” and approach problems from every angle.

The freshmen who attended the event were widely receptive to Gates’ sense of humor.

“I like how he called himself a college dropout,” said freshman Yong Yan Cao.

But the message of giving back wasn’t lost on his audience either.

“It was really nice that he encouraged people to not only contribute in their communities, but around the world,” said freshman Sammi Kelly.

As one of the largest and most diverse classes, this year’s group of freshmen is well-equipped to do just that.

Reach reporter Sara Grimes at news@dailyuw.edu.