New Student Convocation

Eastern’s New Student Convocation is a formal academic event that marks the start of the academic year and welcomes incoming students into the university community. All incoming students, first-year and transfer, are expected to attend.

Monday, August 24. Students should arrive at the Sports Center no later than 9:45 A.M.

After the Convocation ceremony ends, students will be dismissed, by program, to their academic sessions. Orientation leaders will facilitate dismissal.

Please contact the AccessAbility Office at Accessability@easternct.edu or the Academic Affairs office at academicaffairs@easternct.edu for accommodations.

Please contact Kate Linderson at lindersonk@easternct.edu

Eastern’s New Student Convocation is a formal academic event that marks the start of the academic year. The goal of the event is to welcome incoming students, first-year and transfer, into the university community. Convocation serves as a bookend to Commencement and denotes the start of a student’s academic journey.

At Eastern, reviving the tradition of New Student Convocation provides an opportunity to engage students with our commitment to liberal arts education, promote community and belonging, and reinforce University traditions.

On the evening following Convocation, students will participate in another important Eastern tradition, the “Light the Way” event, a celebratory party and kickoff to the academic year.

Convocation will be held at 10:00 A.M. in the Geissler Gymnasium Sports Center. Faculty participating in the processional are asked to wear academic regalia and to arrive in the Student Center Café at 9:15 A.M. to prepare for the procession. Coffee and light refreshments will be provided.

The Convocation Program is focused on academics and will include welcome remarks from the University President, a Faculty Speaker, and a charge to the class from the Senior Class President.

After the Convocation ceremony ends, students will be dismissed, by program, to their academic sessions. Orientation leaders will facilitate dismissal, and faculty attending Convocation are welcome to accompany their students upon dismissal.