New Student Convocation Welcomes First-Year Students

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The University of Arkansas will officially welcome home thousands of first-year students with a new student convocation, to be held at 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 21, in Bud Walton Arena. This year’s event marks a change in the program with a parents’ reception and fellow student speakers instead of a single keynote address. Burger Bash, a party with food and entertainment, will follow convocation in The Gardens near Bud Walton.

“New Student Convocation is a way to show first-year students that faculty, staff and administrators are a united team, willing and available to help them succeed during their University of Arkansas experience,” said Quincy Spencer, director of First Year Experience programs.

The event is held in Bud Walton Arena to signify that this is also where students will be during commencement. Introducing first-year students to upper-level faculty, staff and administrators, new student convocation is designed to celebrate first-year students’ entry into the university.

The parents’ reception is new to the event this year. “Our goal is to engage as many people as possible to really emphasize the focus on students, their experiences and their successes here at the University of Arkansas,” said Alison Leach, director of parent and family programs. “Parent involvement can be crucial to student retention and success, so we wanted to invite parents as an added way to support, reach and encourage our students.” The parent reception will begin at 3:30 in the Tommy Boyer Hall of Champions within Bud Walton Arena.

This year students attending convocation will hear from two of their own. Sophomore Mallory Jordan of Weiner, Ark., and senior Kalyn Williams of Oklahoma City will address the crowd. These students will talk about their own University of Arkansas experiences and offer advice to the group of incoming first-year students. A tongue-in-cheek video, created by students and offering advice for navigating their first year, will also be featured in the ceremony.

In addition to the student speakers and video, the ceremony will feature speakers welcoming first-year students to campus, including Chancellor G. David Gearhart, Provost Sharon Gaber, Vice Provost for Student Affairs and Dean of Students Danny Pugh, and Michael Dodd, president of the Associated Student Government.

New basketball coach, Mike Anderson, will be introduced and will briefly address the students encouraging them to support the Razorback athletic teams by attending sporting events throughout the year.

At the conclusion of the ceremony students will walk to The Gardens where they will find plenty of food, fun and friends at Burger Bash.