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New Student Convocation Going Virtual

A camera crew records Chancellor Randy Woodson's remarks in Reynolds Coliseum, where Convocation normally takes place.
A camera crew records Chancellor Randy Woodson's remarks in Reynolds Coliseum, where Convocation normally takes place.

New Student Convocation is a high-energy event that typically takes place in Reynolds Coliseum at the start of each fall semester. It’s the first time that the incoming class comes together as a whole, and they are introduced to the university’s leadership, values, and many beloved traditions. Although the 2020 event has been moved to a virtual format due to COVID-19, it promises to be just as engaging and fun.

This year’s New Student Convocation will be broadcast via YouTube on Sunday, August 9 at 4 p.m. at go.ncsu.edu/convocation. New students are encouraged to watch the event on a laptop or desktop computer in order to participate in the Convocation Scavenger Hunt with a chance to win gift cards to Wolfpack Outfitters, free ice cream from Howling Cow Creamery, and many other prizes. Download the NC State Mobile Guide App for more information about how to participate. (Here’s a hint: Make sure you stick around and watch the entire video to collect all of the QR codes needed to win prizes!)

This year’s New Student Convocation program will include welcoming remarks by Chancellor Randy Woodson, Student Body President Melanie Flowers, and other university leaders. Unique to this year is a video featuring faculty, students, and staff from across campus that highlights the many reasons why being part of the Wolfpack is so special. At the end of the presentation, the Class of 2024 will get a first look at the official class photo.

All first-year students will receive a special gift when they pick up their new student IDs from the Wolfpack One Card office, which is located outside of Talley Student Union on Stafford Commons and open from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily. Students who are living off campus will receive their gift in the mail, and everyone will be instructed not to open it until the end of the Convocation ceremony.

Student holds up an envelope containing a special gift students should open at Convocation
Be sure to pick up this special gift when you pick up your new student ID! Or, if you are not living on campus, look for it in the mail. Either way, don’t open it until you are instructed to at the end of the New Student Convocation program.

“We can’t wait for all of our new students to come together for the first time and celebrate the start of a new chapter of their lives at NC State,” said Lisa Zapata, interim vice chancellor for the Division of Academic and Student Affairs. “Even though we won’t be together in the same space, we have designed a virtual program that is sure to entertain and inspire our newest members of the Wolfpack to ‘Think and Do’ amazing things during their four years here.”

New Student Convocation is part of Wolfpack Welcome Week, which includes hundreds of virtual and in-person activities. Find out more at https://newstudents.dasa.ncsu.edu/wolfpackwelcomeweek/.