Chancellor’s Convocation to Kick Off UCR’s 2012-13 School Year

Annual event for first-year students also features pep rally and celebration at the HUB

By Ross French on September 20, 2012

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (www.ucr.edu)  — University of California, Riverside Chancellor Timothy P. White and a number of special guests will kick off the 2012-13 school year with the annual New Student Convocation on Monday, September 24 at 4:45 p.m. in the Student Recreation Center.

The convocation is one of several student-centered events held during Highlander Welcome Week and designed to celebrate the start of the new academic year.

Following a procession of the faculty in formal academic regalia, White will welcome the students to the campus and speak on topics including campus diversity, commitment to service, the importance of voting, and student-advocacy on behalf of the university.

Other speakers include Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Jim Sandoval, Jose Wudka, professor of physics and astronomy and chair of the Academic Senate, Alumni Association President Mary Schuler (’70) and ASUCR President Liam Dow. The UCR Highlander Band, under the direction of Matt Zebley, will play and the Highlander Pipe Band will lead the processional. UCR student Alexandra Franke will sing the National Anthem and the Alma Mater.

UCR Athletics Director Brian Wickstrom and Men’s Basketball Head Coach Jim Wooldridge will close the event with the R’side Rally. They will be joined by mascot Scotty Highlander, the Highlander Spirit Squads and student-athletes from the Highlanders athletics teams.

Following the convocation, students will walk over to the Highlander Union Building (HUB) for the R’Side Celebration. The student-only event features food booths, music and other entertainment.

Approximately 3,500 students are expected to move into UCR’s three residence halls on Sunday, September 23rd. Move-in times and approach routes to campus have been staggered to help minimize congestion, but streets are still expected to be busy throughout the day. Instruction begins on Thursday, September 27th.

Archived under: Inside UCR, Brian Wickstrom, Chancellor Timothy P. White, Convocation, Jim Wooldridge, Jose Wudka, Liam Dow, Mary Schuler, new student convocation, press release, R'side Rally

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