The journey begins: Why K-State’s New Student Convocation matters
If commencement marks the final chapter in the story of a student’s college experience
at Kansas State University, then convocation is the very first page of that story:
a special event that starts the student’s journey on campus.
“Convocation is the ceremony or the official moment where we welcome the new students
to campus,” says Gregory Eiselein, director of K-State First, an on-campus program
assisting new students in their transition to university life. “It’s our chance to
tell the students that we’re glad they’re here and that they are now officially a
part of the Wildcat community.”
The event is designed to welcome, inspire and motivate, and give students a chance
to reflect on the life change that’s about to happen.
“Convocation is meant to be the bookend event to commencement and graduation,” Eiselein
said. “If graduation is the moment where they officially finish their schooling, this
[convocation] is the beginning. We want them to begin with that end goal in mind.
We want them to be successful here, learn what they came to learn, so we can send
them off into the world with that degree in hand.
“It’s such an exciting moment. Their life is going to completely change during college.
They get a chance to remake themselves. I think it’s important to commemorate the
moment.”
Convocation then
Depending on when you graduated from K-State, you may or may not have attended a convocation
event as a student. The tradition was started by then-President James McCain, then
was phased out over time.
The program was revived in 2013, and has continued to evolve since then. What started
as a more formal event similar to graduation now has a more casual, high-energy tone.
Rather than academic dress, university leaders are encouraged to wear game day attire
to show their K-State spirit.
The first recipients of the K-State Alumni Association's Distinguished Young Alumni
Award — Nick Piper '08 and Justine Sterling '07 — shared words of wisdom at the revitalized
convocation event in 2013, and the Alumni Association has been involved ever since.
"The DYA award recipients have such a powerful message, and they can relate to the
students because they are so close to their age," said Amy Button Renz '76, '86, Alumni
Association president and CEO. "It's been very rewarding to the K-State Alumni Association
to have that type of prescence at this event."
Convocation now
This year’s New Student Convocation will take place Sunday, Aug. 21. Around 3,000
people will gather in Bill Snyder Family Stadium, where the university president,
provost, deans and other university leaders will be on hand to greet and interact
with students before a performance from the K-State Marching Band.
Speakers will include Parker Vulgamore, K-State’s student body president, who will
share his thoughts on how to make the most of your college experience; and Distinguished
Young Alumni Award recipient James E. Millsap '11, who will speak about how his K-State
experience changed him and the opportunities he was given.
Finally, K-State President Richard Linton will deliver a charge to students. Eiselein
sees a parallel between the new students and President Linton, because he also is
new to K-State.
“He’s a first year person here too,” Eiselein said of President Linton. “He’s going
to say ‘Hey, this is my first year too, and I understand the excitement and the nerves.
But we're going to do this together.’ We’re hoping that this is a chance for him to
connect with the students.”
Convocation will end with a pinning ceremony for the students, a pep rally with Willie
the Wildcat, and of course — what every college student loves — free food.
Convocation going forward
The theme for this year’s convocation is "Your K-State Journey Starts Now.” Eiselein
hopes students will use the event to take a moment to pause, celebrate and reflect
on the changes they’re about to make. College is an opportunity to discover new things
about yourself and grow into the person you’d like to be.
“You are on the verge of this adventure, this new journey, and it’s going to start
now,” he said. “It doesn’t have to be the clouds opening up and oh, I see everything
— it’s something a little bit quieter and more reflective than that. I want them to
think, ‘Hey, I’m about to be a college student.’ I want them to reflect on the beginning
of college, to think just for a moment, what a big deal this is.”
As the students walk away from convocation, Eiselein hopes that students will take
away a feeling of promise and fulfillment.
“I want them to know that they belong here, that they are part of the K-State family,
that they are welcome here,” he said. “The president is excited that they’re here;
our alumni are excited that they’re here. The current students are excited they’re
here. I want the students to know that they just joined this awesome, amazing tradition
that is really something to be proud about.”