New Convocation Tradition to Help Kick Off UW Fall Semester

A ceremony in the University of Wyoming’s Arena-Auditorium for first-year and transfer students will help kick off the 2018-19 academic year at UW.

The New Student Convocation, a new fall semester tradition, is Tuesday, Aug. 28, at 3:30 p.m.

The convocation, to which all first-year and transfer students are invited, will be led by UW President Laurie Nichols. UW faculty members will line up for the processional into the Arena-Auditorium at 3:15 p.m. Speakers will include alumni and students, and musical performances will be featured. Following the recessional at the end of the event, UW faculty members will form a receiving line to greet students as they exit the arena.

“The convocation has been developed not just to provide a welcome to the campus community for first-year and transfer students, but also to set them on a positive path as they begin their UW careers,” says Sean Blackburn, UW vice president for student affairs. “We invite everyone on campus to attend.”

UW fall semester classes begin the following day, Wednesday, Aug. 29. UW business and administrative offices will observe regular hours (8 a.m.-5 p.m.) beginning Monday, Aug. 27.

Students will be able to move into UW residence halls starting at 7 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 25.

In addition to the New Student Convocation, other highlights of the opening week of fall classes are:

-- Friday, Aug. 24, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. -- Transfer student orientation, Wyoming Union Ballroom.

-- Sunday, Aug. 26, 1-2 p.m. -- Campus safety panel, College of Arts and Sciences auditorium. Students will learn from community and campus experts about safety during their time at UW. The safety panel will feature UW Police Department and Laramie Police Department personnel, representatives of UW Residence Life and Dining Services, new Dean of Students Kimberly Chestnut and STOP Violence representatives.

-- Sunday, Aug. 26, 2-4 p.m. -- Party in Prexy’s with Campus Recreation. Offered will be fun inflatables, lawn games, music and ice cream. Club Sports representatives and the Half Acre Recreation and Wellness Center staff will be on hand with sport demonstrations and other activities.

-- Sunday, Aug. 26, 8:30 p.m. -- Movie at War Memorial Stadium, with welcoming remarks from UW coaches. The film “Avengers: Infinity War” will be shown on the stadium scoreboard. Students are encouraged to bring blankets and their WyoOne ID cards.

-- Monday, Aug. 27, 10 a.m. -- Speaker Justin Jones-Fosu, College of Arts and Sciences auditorium. Jones-Fosu will discuss "Hug an Elephant, Kiss a Giraffe: Redefining Diversity in Everyday Life." He is a nationally recognized speaker, young award-winning entrepreneur and author. He will focus on the topic of diversity, including authentic listening, being open and “respecting others even when we don’t agree.”

-- Monday, Aug. 27, 12:30-1:30 p.m. -- Transfer and nontraditional student kickoff luncheon, College of Business auditorium. Transfer Success Center staff members and transfer peer mentors will be available to answer questions. Prizes will be available, including tickets for the Brothers Osborne concert and to comedian Ken Jeong’s performance this semester.

-- Wednesday, Aug. 29, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. -- Club and organization fair, Prexy’s Pasture. The fair is an opportunity for students to learn about organizations at UW and ways to become involved on campus. UW sponsors more than 250 recognized student organizations.

-- Wednesday, Aug. 29, 5-7 p.m. -- Welcome Barbecue, Prexy’s Pasture. UW President Nichols and UW personnel will greet students. Live music will be provided by Trout Steak Revival and special guest Chain Station. Outdoor games and prizes also will be available. Students are urged to bring their UW student IDs to the event. Washakie Dining Center will be closed during the barbecue and will be used in case of rain.

-- Friday, Aug. 31, 7 p.m., Cowboy Kickoff Concert, Arena-Auditorium -- Award-winning Brothers Osborne headlines the concert; featured will be special guests the Cadillac Three. For ticket information, visit www.gowyo.com/sports/2018/5/25/cowboy-kickoff-concert.aspx.

For a complete list of student activities, visit the Cowboy Connect schedule at www.uwyo.edu/cowboyconnect/freshmen-schedule/.

For a complete transfer and nontraditional student schedule, visit www.uwyo.edu/cowboyconnect/transfer-and-nontrad-schedule/index.html.

For more information about “Move-In 2018,” including a guide and parking map, go to www.uwyo.edu/reslife-dining/halls/move_in.html.