New Student Convocation 2009

All new Florida State University students, family members, and current students, staff and faculty are cordially invited to the 2009 New Student Convocation ceremony on Sunday, August 23rd, 2009 at 1:30 p.m. in the Donald L. Tucker Tallahassee-Leon County Civic Center.

All new students must attend Convocation, which marks their entrance into the life and traditions of Florida State University. Family members and friends of new students are also invited to attend. New students will be welcomed by the Provost, deans, and outstanding student leaders. The ceremony celebrates the history of Florida State and calls upon students to make a commitment to live by the values embodied in the torches on the University seal: strength, skills, & character.

Provost Lawrence Abele will preside over Convocation, including the historic Torch Ceremony, in which upper-class students "pass the torch" to members of the first-year class; announcement of the vires, artes, and mores essay scholarship winners; and the Provost’s charge to new students. Our speaker, Dr. Darrin McMahon, the Ben Weider Professor of History, will share his insights about pursuing happiness as a college student.

Convocation will be held in the Tallahassee-Leon County Civic Center, which is within walking distance from campus. Buses will also be available to shuttle residence hall students and family members from campus residence halls to Convocation at no charge. A map of this special convocation bus route and the stops can be found by visiting Convocation Bus Route. Nearby parking will also be available in FSU parking garage #5 at the corner of Pensacola and Copeland (free) and the Civic Center Parking lot ($7.00 fee). For driving directions, visit Driving Directions to Convocation. The doors will open at 12:00 p.m., and the ceremony will last from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Still Have Questions or Need Assistance?

Please contact us if you need special accommodations or have questions about New Student Convocation. Florida State University's Office of New Student & Family Programs is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. If you have questions or need further assistance, please contact us by phone at 850/644-2785 or email orientation@admin.fsu.edu.