OXFORD, Miss. – The University of Mississippi’s incoming Class of 2014 is expected to be one of the largest in school history. To help unite this diverse group of students, officials are inviting all freshmen to the university’s Freshmen Convocation.
Set for 7 p.m. Thursday (Aug. 26) in Tad Smith Coliseum, the convocation is open to the public, including family and friends. The hourlong ceremony is complete with music by a brass quintet, a processional in full academic regalia and, of course, speeches.
“We want to celebrate, welcome and formally induct the Class of 2014 into the University of Mississippi,” said Dewey Knight, associate director of financial aid and convocation coordinator. “Our hope is to not only help build a sense of community among this class of students, but to also articulate the university’s mission and our expectations.”
Participating students also receive a limited-edition commemorative coin, the first in a planned series. Each year’s coin will feature a different design and will never be available again, Knight said.
“The die for the commemorative coin has been broken,” Knight said. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to receive this special Ole Miss memorabilia.”
Keynote speaker Ethel Young-Minor, UM professor of African-American studies and English, said she plans to encourage the students to seek out a variety of experiences while at Ole Miss.
“I’m going to advise the students to give their best in their classes from the beginning,” Young-Minor said. “I want to encourage them to take more than the required classes, to use electives to uncover their talents, stretch their abilities and prepare them for a global job market. They should study abroad as well as make connections with professors, administrators and peers so they can better nurture their social connections.”
Other convocation speakers include Chancellor Dan Jones, Provost Morris Stocks, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Larry Ridgeway, Dean of Students Sparky Reardon and Associated Student Body President Virginia Burke.
For more information, contact Dewey Knight at 662-915-1166.