Academic Convocation, Burger Bash Welcomes First-Year Students

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The University of Arkansas will welcome thousands of new faces to campus when first-year students start their university careers with academic convocation, to be held at 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 24, in Barnhill Arena. The convocation will introduce first-year students to upper level faculty, staff and administrators. It is also designed to get students excited about opportunities outside of the classroom such as faculty-student team research. Burger Bash, a party with food and entertainment, will follow in the south end zone food court of Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium.

“Academic Convocation sets the tone for student expectations at the collegiate level,” said Shelia Burkhalter, director of First Year Experience Programs. “It shows students that faculty, staff and administrators are a united team, willing and available to help students succeed during their University of Arkansas experience.”

Past ceremonies have been held in Bud Walton Arena so that students make the connection that this is where they will be in four years during commencement. However, this year Bud Walton is not available due to work being performed inside the building

A major part of the convocation ceremony will be to showcase the winners of the John A. White Award for Faculty-Student Collaboration. There were 17 nominations submitted by faculty members and students across the campus. The two winning projects will be featured in short videos. They were chosen as the best projects in which faculty members collaborated with undergraduate students to conduct research. The winners are “Early Breast Cancer Detection” from the College of Engineering, and “Camp Aldersgate Design/Build Program” from the School of Architecture.

In addition to the videos, the ceremony will feature speakers welcoming first-year students to campus, including Chancellor G. David Gearhart, interim Provost Bob McMath, and Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Johnetta Cross Brazzell. The Associated Student Government president, Carter Ford, will lead the students in the University Pledge as each student dons the University of Arkansas pin.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, students will walk to the Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium, south end zone food court, where they will find plenty of food, fun and friends at Burger Bash.