The City College of New York has announced details for its Freshman Convocation this year. The official ceremony will be held on Sep. 15, Thursday.
According to CCNY's official website, the annual Freshman Convocation is the City College President's official welcome to the freshman class. The ceremony will include caps, gowns and academic regalia.
All freshman students are required to attend the Freshman Convocation 2016. It will be from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. on Sep. 15 at the Great Hall inside the Shepard Hall building.
The event will feature an academic procession of deans, faculty and members of the President's cabinet. After the ceremony, there will be a reception held in the Beaver Quad. Incoming students will receive information about Freshman Convocation 2016 in early fall.
"The Freshman Convocation is the official induction ceremony for first year students at The City College of New York by the President, the Academic Deans, Faculty, and Staff," the website read. "The Convocation celebrates the start of a new academic year and commemorates the beginning of their collegiate experience."
Last year, Kenny Soto, who studied biology at the City College of New York but later became a music major, gave a speech at Freshman Convocation 2015. He talked about how the school has great resources that will challenge students.
"Your purpose here besides getting a degree is to learn," he said. "And this does not mean simply going to class and then going to work or hanging out with friends. This means as VP Reina said, look to your left and look to your right and realizing you can learn from your fellow student body as well."
First Lady Michelle Obama also went to the City College of New York last June to join the class of 2016 in celebration of their commencement rites. It was memorable for Michelle Obama since it was her last commencement address as First Lady of the U.S.
"So I want you all to go out there. Be great," she told the graduates. "Build great lives for yourselves. Enjoy the liberties that you have in this great country. Pursue your own version of happiness. And please, please, always, always do your part to help others do the same."
