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Freshman Convocation 2025

Welcome Freshman, Class of 2029

Your Academic Journey Begins

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There will be two convocation ceremonies.
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*Students, please only attend one convocation ceremony with your college.*
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Friday, August 15, 2025, 3pm to 4pm
Carole and Barry Kaye Auditorium, Boca Raton Campus
Doors open at 2:15 pm. Please be seated no later than 2:45 pm

Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters

College of Business

College of Education

Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing

Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College

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Friday, August 15, 2025, 5pm to 6pm
Carole and Barry Kaye Auditorium, Boca Raton Campus
Doors open at 4:15 pm. Please be seated no later than 4:45 pm

College of Engineering and Computer Science

Charles E. Schmidt College of Science

College of Social Work & Criminal Justice

Undecided

The Freshman Convocation welcomes the incoming class of 2029 to ¼ø»Æʦapp.Ìý From the welcome by ¼ø»Æʦapp's administrators to the eloquent words of advice from the Distinguished Teacher of the Year, Freshman Convocation promises to be a memorable and exciting start for ¼ø»Æʦapp undergraduate ¼ø»Æʦapp.

The Freshman Convocation is the official entry into ¼ø»Æʦapp. The Convocation formally welcomes freshmen to the beginning of their academic career and represents ¼ø»Æʦapp's involvement and commitment to its newest members ofÌý the community of learners. As freshmen assemble, convocation introduces them to faculty, staff and administrators and connects them to one another and to the university.Ìý

Convocation is a ritual to signal the beginning ofÌýa student's college career in the same, significant manner in which the graduation commencement serves as a ritual marking the completion of study.

Highlights of the Freshman Convocation
The ceremony is ledÌý by the University President, Provost, and distinguished speakers.Ìý All freshmen that attend the ceremony will be given a blue and silver academic cord from ¼ø»Æʦapp at the end. The cord represents a commitment to achieving academic excellence and success and the beginning of a life-long connection to ¼ø»Æʦapp. Freshmen will wear their cord at their graduation four years from now.Ìý The Freshman Convocation helps introduce ¼ø»Æʦapp to the the ¼ø»Æʦapp community.

¼ø»Æʦapp with cords

Speakers

President Adam Hasner
Dr. Russ Ivy, Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Dr.Ìý Maria Mercedes Larrondo-Petrie, 2025 Distinguished Teacher of the YearÌý Ìý Ìý
Ms. Maya Desai, Inaugural Distinguished First Year Undergraduate Student
Dr. Dan Meeroff, Dean of Undergraduate Studies

Information for Students
The Freshman Convocation will be held in the Carole and Bary KayeÌý Auditorium on the Boca Raton Campus. Please note that the doors will be locked at the start time of each convocation ceremony.Ìý Students must bring their Owl Card or Event Pass from Owl Central to check in.
Cords will be handed out at the end of the ceremony. Only those freshmen attending will receive a cord. The cord represents your commitment to academic success at ¼ø»Æʦapp and is worn at graduation. Business casual dress is preferred.
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Information for Faculty
The Freshman Convocation is the official beginning of the first-time-in college ¼ø»Æʦapp' entry into ¼ø»Æʦapp. As a faculty member, you are here in large part because of the extraordinary ¼ø»Æʦapp who are our partners in the exploration for knowledge. You are the heart and soul of the academic enterprise and your attendance represents your commitment to ¼ø»Æʦapp's newest members of the community of learners.
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Processional
College Deans and faculty are invited to meet in the area adjacent to the VIP Room in the lobby of the auditorium for light refreshments before the convocation.Ìý Faculty will be asked to report to the Student Union 45 minutes prior and line-up for the processional will begin 15 minutes prior to the ceremony. The deans will line up in the front of the line followed by faculty and the Platform Party.Ìý An event coordinator will direct faculty in the line-up and will lead them in the processional to the stage.
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Location
The Carole and Barry Kaye Auditorium is located inside the Student Union on the Boca Raton campus.
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Directions
FROM Turnpike AND I-95: Exit Glades Rd. heading East.Ìý Turn left into ¼ø»Æʦapp's Main Entrance (NW 10th Ave).Ìý FROM US-1: Turn on Glades Rd., heading West.Ìý Turn right into ¼ø»Æʦapp's Main Entrance (NW 10th Ave). The Student Union will be on the right hand side as you enter the University.
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Dress
All faculty are asked to wear their regalia. Staff who have earned a Ph.D. are also invited to wear their regalia and join the faculty in the processional.
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The Freshman Convocation is free and open to all freshmen, ¼ø»Æʦapp faculty and staff ONLY. No registration is required to attend. For additional information contact the Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Studies directly at 5 61-297-2126