The Steinke Physical Education Center will be filled with music, laughter and camaraderie on Sept. 12 as the Class of 2022 is honored with the annual Freshman Convocation.
The yearly tradition at Texas A&M University-Kingsville brings the freshman class together in hopes of not just welcoming them to the campus, to but also inform them of university traditions such as the alma mater, the university regalia and the class ring.
“Convocation has become a tradition for our freshman population. It is an event at which they gather together and learn about what it means to be a Javelina through camaraderie and fellowship,” First Year Seminar Coordinator Nicole Morris said.
This year is particularly meaningful as TAMUK President Dr. Steve Tallant is the guest speaker for the final freshman class he will see before his retirement at the end of this semester.
“We are excited to have him welcome our newest students in his last semester as president,” said Interim Associate Vice President for Student Success Dr. Shannon Baker.
Baker is working with Dean of Students Kirsten Compary to plan the event.
“Working as a team to plan convocation is allowing me to help plan an event that helps set the tone for our newest students’ time on campus,” Baker said.
Full of pride and a fond remembrance for being a freshman in college herself, Baker not only loves teaching freshman, but also enjoys letting them know what they have to do to get through this new experience in life.
“I would hope that students today share the same intellectual curiosity that I had, and that these students are forging friendships with people they meet on campus,” began Baker. “College should still be a journey during which you learn as much about yourself as about the academic subjects that you study.”
Not just the faculty are excited, the freshman themselves are ready for this event to officially kick of this new era of their life.
“I’m expecting to learn more about the campus and the resources that I have available to me,” said bio-med major Sophia Turner.
Convocation begins at 4 p.m. Following the event, the individual Colleges will be hosting their freshmen majors for various events to introduce them to their college and faculty.