ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA – The start of Winthrop University’s 139th year begins with a traditional welcome: a Convocation ceremony for new freshmen and transfer students to formally induct them into the Winthrop community of learners.
President Edward Serna ’02 will preside over the Aug. 19 Convocation ceremony at 11 a.m. in the West Center.
The event will include welcome messages from Provost Sebastian van Delden, Vice President for Student Affairs Shelia Burkhalter and student leaders, as well as introductions to the campus’ treasures and traditions, a recitation of the Dedication for Excellence and the singing of the alma mater.
Serna, who begins his third year as Winthrop’s president and the first alumnus to serve in the leadership role, attended the university as a non-traditional student. While he did not attend Convocation as a student, he loves to oversee the ceremony and to meet new students at this annual event.
Immediately following the Convocation ceremony, Serna and First Lady Lauren Serna will lead students out of the West Center and toward the campus front lawn in the traditional Blue Line procession. The group walk dates back to the tenure of founding President David Bancroft Johnson. New students will wear their Blue Line T-shirt for the occasion.
A picnic lunch will take place on the lawn in front of Margaret Nance Hall, beginning at 11:45 a.m. Campus ministries, local churches and civic organizations will have tables on the front lawn in order to provide information about opportunities to get involved in the community.
Fall classes will begin at 5 p.m. on Aug. 19.
For more information about Convocation, contact Judy Longshaw, news and media services manager, at 803/323-2404 or e-mail her at longshawj@winthrop.edu.
