New Roo Convocation
We are excited to welcome you, Class of 2028
Friday, August 23

What is Convocation?

During this ceremony, new students and the UA community at large will be welcomed by President R.J. Nemer and share in the UA commitment toward students’ path to graduation. Students will receive a welcome from alumni and the Undergraduate Student Government President.

Convocation introduces new Zips to our UA community, rich traditions, and Akron pride. It also affirms the University’s commitment to support your academic aspirations as you work toward graduation.

Students receive their Zippy pin which symbolizes the shared commitment and hallmarks the start of a student’s Akron Experience.

2024 SCHEDULE
TIME	LOCATION	DETAILS
11 - 11:30 a.m.	First Energy Stadium Rain location: The JAR	New Student Convocation Check-in As new students enter the stadium, students will be presented their Zippy pins, which symbolizes the shared commitment and hallmarks the start of a student’s Akron Experience. Students will engage in UA pride, traditions, and history trivia hosted by Willy Kollman and Chris Stimler.
11:30 a.m. - Noon	First Energy Stadium Rain location: The JAR	New Student Convocation Convocation introduces new Zips to our UA community, rich traditions, and Akron pride. It also affirms the University’s commitment to support their academic aspirations as they work toward graduation. Faculty, staff, and students are invited to join together in celebrating the new Class of 2028. Convocation Schedule: National Anthem Welcome & President Introduction (Willy Kollman) New Student Welcome & Convocation Tradition (President) Welcome from the City of Akron (Mayor Malik) Student Body Welcome (USG President) Closing & Reception Transition (Willy Kollman)
Noon - 1 p.m.	Coleman Common	New Student Welcome Reception Students and faculty will join after Convocation on Coleman Common. Students will have the opportunity to connect with peers, faculty, and staff from their colleges before making their way to their individual college welcome event. The reception provides new students the chance take part in the “GO ZIPS” photo opportunity, yard games provided by SRWC, and enjoy food and music.
1 - 3 p.m.	Meet our leaders in white Akron Pride shirts at your colleges' flag color - we will lead you to the event!	Individual College Welcome Events Students are asked to RSVP for their individual college welcome event to take place after Convocation and the reception to further their connect with their college. This invitation is sent to students' UA email accounts in early August.
Buchtel College of Arts & Sciences *Green flag*	Buchtel College of Arts & Sciences Welcome Kickoff Students having a major that is part of the Buchtel College of Arts & Sciences (BCAS) will be warmly welcomed by their department or school faculty. All new BCAS students are expected to attend their department or school welcome event—so RSVP today to let your faculty know you are coming! Faculty have designed events specific to their programs, but all include: meeting with key faculty and staff in the program, being informed of the many special opportunities for majors, obtaining essential information about how to navigate the department or school and be successful in the major. In addition, BCAS welcome events may include new students meeting with current students to learn from their firsthand experiences, tours of state-of-the-art labs or studios or other facilities, presentations about student organizations related to the major and how to get involved, beverages/snacks/giveaways and more!
College of Business Atrium *Orange flag*	Experience Business Friday, Aug. 23! Join us for an ice cream sundae bar and the opportunity to learn about the College of Business Experience! Connect with Business student organizations, faculty, and the academic departments – plus, meet your CoB Success Seminar Leaders and the Dean's Team. See you soon, and Go Zips!
Mary Gladwin Hall Outside of the main entrance *Red flag*	College of Health and Human Sciences Welcome to campus from the College of Health and Human Sciences! Visit us for snacks, games, raffles and fun!
Auburn Science & Engineering Center Bridge area and inside building *Blue flag*	Welcome to the College of Engineering and Polymer Science! Come talk with our amazing student organizations and design teams. Meet with academic advisers and faculty members. Learn about the Co-op and Placement program. Check out the resources from the Women in Engineering Program and Increasing Diversity in Engineering Academic Program. Snacks will be provided.
Simmons Hall Front lawn Purple flag	Fun and Games with Exploratory Advising Join Exploratory Advising for games and prizes on the lawn in front of Simmons Hall. After a brief introduction, you will have the opportunity to meet and chat with our staff and play games while you connect with your classmates! We will also have popsicles and light refreshments.
3 - 4 p.m.	Various locations	Focused Welcome Events The following special groups have extended a special invite and hosted individual welcome events/socials for participants in their programs. I PROMISE Zips, Akron Rises Scholars, Choose Ohio First & Collegiate Success - Front lawn of Simmons Hall Williams Honors College - Student Union Ballrooms First Year Forefront - Back lawn of Simmons Hall Transfer Student Remix - Simmons Hall, room 101

2024 SCHEDULE

TIME

LOCATION

DETAILS

11 - 11:30 a.m.

First Energy Stadium

Rain location: The JAR

New Student Convocation Check-in

As new students enter the stadium, students will be presented their Zippy pins, which symbolizes the shared commitment and hallmarks the start of a student’s Akron Experience. Students will engage in UA pride, traditions, and history trivia hosted by Willy Kollman and Chris Stimler.

11:30 a.m. - Noon

First Energy Stadium

Rain location: The JAR

New Student Convocation

Convocation introduces new Zips to our UA community, rich traditions, and Akron pride. It also affirms the University’s commitment to support their academic aspirations as they work toward graduation. Faculty, staff, and students are invited to join together in celebrating the new Class of 2028.

Convocation Schedule:

National Anthem
Welcome & President Introduction (Willy Kollman)
New Student Welcome & Convocation Tradition (President)
Welcome from the City of Akron (Mayor Malik)
Student Body Welcome (USG President)
Closing & Reception Transition (Willy Kollman)

Noon - 1 p.m.

Coleman Common

New Student Welcome Reception

Students and faculty will join after Convocation on Coleman Common. Students will have the opportunity to connect with peers, faculty, and staff from their colleges before making their way to their individual college welcome event. The reception provides new students the chance take part in the “GO ZIPS” photo opportunity, yard games provided by SRWC, and enjoy food and music.

1 - 3 p.m.

Meet our leaders in white Akron Pride shirts at your colleges' flag color - we will lead you to the event!

Individual College Welcome Events

Students are asked to RSVP for their individual college welcome event to take place after Convocation and the reception to further their connect with their college. This invitation is sent to students' UA email accounts in early August.

Buchtel College of Arts & Sciences

Green flag

Buchtel College of Arts & Sciences Welcome Kickoff

Students having a major that is part of the Buchtel College of Arts & Sciences (BCAS) will be warmly welcomed by their department or school faculty. All new BCAS students are expected to attend their department or school welcome event—so RSVP today to let your faculty know you are coming! Faculty have designed events specific to their programs, but all include:

meeting with key faculty and staff in the program,
being informed of the many special opportunities for majors,
obtaining essential information about how to navigate the department or school and be successful in the major.

In addition, BCAS welcome events may include new students meeting with current students to learn from their firsthand experiences, tours of state-of-the-art labs or studios or other facilities, presentations about student organizations related to the major and how to get involved, beverages/snacks/giveaways and more!

College of Business

Atrium

Orange flag

Experience Business Friday, Aug. 23!

Join us for an ice cream sundae bar and the opportunity to learn about the College of Business Experience! Connect with Business student organizations, faculty, and the academic departments – plus, meet your CoB Success Seminar Leaders and the Dean's Team. See you soon, and Go Zips!

Mary Gladwin Hall

Outside of the main entrance

Red flag

College of Health and Human Sciences

Welcome to campus from the College of Health and Human Sciences! Visit us for snacks, games, raffles and fun!

Auburn Science & Engineering Center

Bridge area and inside building

Blue flag

Welcome to the College of Engineering and Polymer Science!

Come talk with our amazing student organizations and design teams. Meet with academic advisers and faculty members. Learn about the Co-op and Placement program. Check out the resources from the Women in Engineering Program and Increasing Diversity in Engineering Academic Program. Snacks will be provided.

Simmons Hall

Front lawn

Purple flag

Fun and Games with Exploratory Advising

Join Exploratory Advising for games and prizes on the lawn in front of Simmons Hall. After a brief introduction, you will have the opportunity to meet and chat with our staff and play games while you connect with your classmates! We will also have popsicles and light refreshments.

3 - 4 p.m.

Various locations

Focused Welcome Events

The following special groups have extended a special invite and hosted individual welcome events/socials for participants in their programs.

I PROMISE Zips, Akron Rises Scholars, Choose Ohio First & Collegiate Success - Front lawn of Simmons Hall
Williams Honors College - Student Union Ballrooms
First Year Forefront - Back lawn of Simmons Hall
Transfer Student Remix - Simmons Hall, room 101