ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA – For new freshmen and transfer students arriving at Winthrop University in August, there will be a special ceremony held to welcome, and formally induct, them into the Winthrop community of learners.
President Edward Serna ’02 will preside over the Aug. 21 Convocation ceremony, which will officially start the 138th academic year at Winthrop. The 11 a.m. ceremony will be held in the West Center for the second year in a row.
The event will include welcome messages from Interim Provost Peter Judge and Vice President for Student Affairs Shelia Burkhalter, 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 is now in his second 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 is delighted to oversee his second ceremony as president 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. 21.
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.
