jmcomicÂþ»­

New Student Convocation Link

Arrival Information

³§³Ù³Ü»å±ð²Ô³Ù²õÌý	Gather on Matador Walk (near Matador Square) between 9:30 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. Event staff will organize students into a line and lead them into the processional.
Staff,ÌýFaculty, & Administration	Please arriveÌýinÌýfront of the University Library Lawn at approximately 9:45 a.m andÌýevent staff will usher you to your seat.Ìý
Platform PartyÌý	You should receive an email from the SDTP staff that contains the arrival time and location details you’ll need. Be sure to check your inbox for a message containing this information.

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Event purpose:Ìý New Student Convocation is an annual celebration of learning that marks the official start of the academic year for all new freshmen, transfer students, and international students. Since 2007, this cornerstone event has brought together the Divisions of Academic Affairs and Student Affairs to highlight the connection between in-classroom and out-of-classroom learning, centered around the Freshman Common Reading. More than just a tradition, Convocation serves as a formal welcome from the President, administration, and the entire campus community—inviting students to begin their academic journey at jmcomicÂþ»­N with pride, purpose, and a shared commitment to learning.

Event structure:Ìý The New Student Orientation leaders guide the freshman class on a symbolic journey that attempts to unify the class and teach them the campus symbols and rituals. The freshman class is assembled in Matador Square and led down Matador Walk to the University Library Lawn by a processional of Associate Deans, faculty and student leaders.Ìý The campus executives and Deans await the students at the top of the University Library steps which serve as a symbolic ascent to the campus center of learning at the programs conclusion.

This program is distinguished by its past keynote speakers and by its recognition by the campus receiving the jmcomicÂþ»­N Team Award in 2008 which noted the campus-wide collaboration and involvement required to plan and to execute the event annually.

YEAR	KEYNOTE SPEAKER
2007	Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
2008	Barbara Ehrenreich
2009	Steve Lopez
2010	Holly Robinson-Peete
2011	Jeannette Walls
2012	Chitra Divakaruni
2013	Edward Humes
2014	Drew Magary
2015	David Levithan
2016	Jon Ronson
2017	Bree Newsome
2018	Nicole Maines & Wayne Maines
2019	Lauren Markham
2021	Patrisse Cullors
2022	Dr. Mary Beth Walker ÌýÌý Ìý
2023	Dr. Amanda QuinteroÌýÌý Ìý
2024	Julio César Ortiz
2025	TBD

New Student Convocation, Thursday- September 25, 2025Ìý

Time	Component

10:00 A.M	Ceremony BeginsÌý
10:10 A.M	Opening Remarks & National AnthemÌý
10:15 A.M	President's Welcome & RemarksÌý
10:25 A.M	Provost Introduction/ Keynote SpeakerÌý
10:35 A.M	College Dean's Welcome & Roll CallÌý
10:40 A.M	AS Presidents Greetings & Alma MaterÌý
10:45 A.M	Concluding RemarksÌý
10:50 A.M	Rose Ceremony & Pep Rally ReceptionÌý

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2024 New Student Convocation

Thursday, Sept 29, 2024
5:30 p.m. - University Library Lawn
Keynote Speaker - Julio César Ortiz
Video Link:Ìý

2023 New Student Convocation

Wednesday, Oct 4, 2023
5:30 p.m. - University Library Lawn
Keynote Speaker - Dr. Amanda Quintero, jmcomicÂþ»­N Senior Advisor for Inclusive Excellence & Equity Innovation Officer
Video Link:Ìý

2022 New Student Convocation

Thursday, Oct 13, 2022
5:30 p.m. - University Library Lawn
Keynote Speaker - Dr. Mary Beth Walker, jmcomicÂþ»­N Provost
Video Link:Ìý

2021 New Student Convocation

Thursday, Sep. 30, 2021
6 p.m. - Zoom Webinar
Keynote Speaker - Patrisse Cullors
Video Link:Ìý

2020 New Student Convocation

Thursday, Sep. 17, 2020
6 p.m. - Zoom Webinar
Video Link:Ìý

2019 New Student Convocation

Thursday, Sep. 12, 2019
6 p.m. - Oviatt Library lawn
Keynote Speaker - Lauren Markham
Video Link:Ìý

2018 New Student Convocation

Thursday, Sep. 13, 2018
6 p.m. - Oviatt Library lawn
Keynote Speaker - Nicole Maines
Video Link:Ìý

*this video is not captioned, but will be very soon and we apologize for this inconvenience*

2017 Freshman Convocation

Thursday, Sep. 14, 2017
6 p.m. - Oviatt Library lawn
Keynote Speaker - Bree Newsome
Video Link:

2016 Freshman Convocation

Thursday, Sep. 15, 2016
6 p.m. - Oviatt Library lawn
Keynote Speaker - Jon Ronson
Author ofÌýSo You've Been Publicly ShamedÌý- the Freshman Common Reading for 2016
Video Link:Ìý

2015 Freshman Convocation

Thursday, Sep. 10, 2015
6 p.m. - Oviatt Library lawn
Keynote Speaker - DavidÌýLevithan
Author ofÌýEvery DayÌý- the Freshman Common Reading for 2015
Video Link:Ìý

2014 Freshman Convocation

Thursday, Sep. 4, 2014
6 p.m. - Oviatt Library lawn
Keynote Speaker - Drew Magary
Author ofÌýThe PostmortalÌý- the Freshman Common Reading for 2014
Video Link:Ìý

2013 Freshman Convocation

Thursday, Sep. 12, 2013
6 p.m. - Oviatt Library lawn
Keynote Speaker - Edward Humes
Author ofÌýGarbologyÌý- the Freshman Common Reading for 2013
Video link:Ìý

2012 Freshman Convocation

Thursday, Sep. 6, 2012
6 p.m. - Oviatt Library lawn
Keynote Speaker - Chitra Divakaruni
Author ofÌýOne Amazing ThingÌý- the Freshman Common Reading for 2012
Video link:Ìý

2011 Freshman Convocation

Thursday, Sep. 8, 2011
6:00pm - Oviatt Library lawn
Keynote Speaker - Jeannette Walls
Author ofÌýThe Glass CastleÌý– the Freshman Common Reading for 2011-2012
Video link:Ìý

2010 Freshman Convocation

Thursday, Sep. 2, 2010
6:00pm - Oviatt Library lawn
Keynote Speaker - Holly Robinson Peete
Actress, Author, Activist & Philanthropist
Video:Ìý

2009 Freshman Convocation

Thursday, Sep. 3, 2009
6 p.m. - Oviatt Library lawn
Keynote Speaker - Steve Lopez
Author ofÌýThe SoloistÌý- the Freshman Common Reading for 2009-2010
Video link:Ìý

2008 Freshman Convocation

Thursday, Sep. 4, 2008
6 p.m. - Oviatt Library lawn
Keynote Speaker -Ìý
Author ofÌýNickel and Dimed
Video link:Ìý

Hail to the Matadors

By Richard Kaufman

Ìý

Hail to all the Matadors


And to our school so dear.

As we move along the road of life,

let us keep from doubt or fear,

For the knowledge which we find here,

for all who urge us on.


The spirit of the red and white


Will brighten every dawn.

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Where the sun is shining


And where truth leaves an open door,


to honor Strong and Courage Tall

We hail our Matador!

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You may listen or download the MP3 file below:

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To download the MP3 to your computer, right click on the following link,ÌýjmcomicÂþ»­N Alma Mater Music, and chooseÌý"save link as"Ìýto save to your computer.

If you cannot see the audio player above, you may need to download it. If you are using Internet Explorer please visitÌý. If you are using Firefox or Apple Safari, please visitÌý.