Academic Year to Open with Convocation and Picnic

Some 1,740 incoming freshmen will be officially welcomed to campus on Monday, August 27, with the annual Convocation ceremony and "welcome to the community" picnic. Convocation, which traditionally signals the start of the academic year, will begin at 11:00 a.m. in Ben Light Gymnasium. And for the fourth year, the ceremony will be followed by a picnic lunch designed to bring incoming students closer together with faculty, staff, and administrators.

President Peggy R. Williams will preside over Convocation and will offer remarks to members of the freshman class. Also speaking will be William Scoones, interim provost and vice president for academic affairs; William Haines, chairman of the board of trustees; and Jayson Pope ’02, president of the Student Government Association. The ceremony will open with a procession of faculty, trustees, and administrators in academic regalia and will feature music by faculty ensembles.

The "welcome to the community" picnic will be held after Convocation on the academic quad; in the event of rain it will be held in the Terrace Dining Hall. The event is intended to help build a sense of connection and commitment to the College among all its constituencies as well as to familiarize the members of the class of 2005 with their new surroundings.

"The picnic is an opportunity for our new students to meet other members of the Ithaca College community," Williams wrote in an e-mail inviting staff, faculty, and administrators to attend the event. "In an effort to welcome the class of 2005 to campus, I encourage you to personally greet as many new students as possible. This is also a great time for you to talk a little bit about yourself --- what you do at the College, how long you have been an employee, and what personal interests you may have. I’m sure the incoming students will appreciate any advice or suggestions you can offer them."

Classes for the fall semester begin on Wednesday, August 29.