Dear new Hoya Parents and Families,
We look forward to formally welcoming your new student into Georgetown’s academic community.
New Student Convocation is an important tradition for all members of the Hoya community. We hope that in celebrating this formal induction to the academic community, you are introduced to the many ways that learning happens at Georgetown – through inspiration, persistence, curiosity and challenge. The ceremony and welcoming addresses by students, faculty and President John J. DeGioia will undoubtedly shed light on the special opportunities and insights afforded by a Georgetown education.
There are a few logistical considerations that will help you make the most of the day, so please take a minute to think through your plans for the morning of Sunday, August 28.
Prior to the Convocation, there are religious services or faith community gatherings for students and families; these are not required, but afford the opportunity to gather in celebration of your faith tradition if you so choose. Most services start at 9am. Students can plan to attend breakfast in Leo’s between 8am – 10am at whatever time best fits their schedules. Family members interested in breakfast can purchase a meal ticket for Leo’s at the entrance. Starbucks in the Leavey Center will open at 7:30am. More dining options may be available in or near your hotel, so consider your dining needs before heading to campus.
Catholic Mass will be held in McDonough Arena on Sunday morning. Following mass, all attendees must exit the arena so it can be reset for convocation. At this point, the line will begin forming for parents and guests to attend Convocation.
It is important to note that the arena cannot accommodate all the guests who would like to attend the ceremony, so we have a tent with additional seating immediately outside the arena with live telecasting of this event. Each student receives two tickets for guests to attend the ceremony at the New Student Orientation (NSO) Registration tent on Copley Lawn on Saturday, August 27. It is the student’s responsibility to give these tickets to his or her guests . Tickets are required for indoor seating, but they do not guarantee indoor seating. Tickets are not required for the tent seating adjacent to the arena, and you are urged to have additional members of your party sit there (e.g. brothers and sisters of the matriculating student, grandparents, etc.). You need not wait in line for tent seating, you may bypass the line for indoor seating and find a comfortable seat. The student processional will pass through the tent, which will afford you the opportunity to see your student participating in this ceremony.
The line for guests who would like to sit indoors typically begins to form around 9:30am. The doors to the arena usually open around 10:45am. All guests must be seated by the time the doors close at 11:15am. To be fair to all guests, we cannot permit saving seats in the arena or holding places in line. Please plan your morning accordingly.
Questions about convocation can be directed to the Director of Academic Events at mcevents@georgetown.edu. We look forward to seeing you on Sunday, August 28, 2011 for New Student Convocation.
Best wishes and Hoya Saxa,
Jean N. Farley
Faculty Chair, New Student Convocation Committee
School of Nursing and Health Studies