The University of Toledo will welcome new students into the Rocket family Friday, Aug. 21, at the New Student Convocation.
The event will begin at 4 p.m. in Savage Arena and will feature advice and tools on how to make the first year of college successful.
“There will be a few speakers — Vice President of Student Affairs Kaye Patten Wallace, the Student Government President Cody Spoon, Dean of Students Tamika Mitchell and UT President Sharon Gaber,” said Amanda Taylor, graduate assistant in the Office for the Student Experience. “After a short video, there will be a pep rally where the football team and Coach Matt Campbell will come in and new students will learn the fight song and the alma mater.”
After convocation, a barbecue will take place in lot 5 in front of Savage Arena from 5 to 7 p.m. There, new students can meet faculty, staff and older students. Vegetarian and gluten-free options will be available.
“Typically, every dean from every college comes, and if they are unable to come, the assistant dean will be there,” Taylor said. “About 75 percent of all the success coaches come, and about 30 teachers from various colleges tend to come and help out.”
Multiple activities will be held at the event; these will include henna, caricature artists, inflatable games, and Twine photo booths, which were founded by a UT graduate in the University’s Incubation Center.
“There will be an inflatable Twister board, a wrecking ball where students can try and knock each other off pedestals, and a laser tag obstacle course that’s inside an inflatable spaceship,” Taylor said.
Additionally, the UT Army ROTC Program’s Fall Kickoff will be held in lot 6 from 5 to 7 p.m. Planned demonstrations and activities will include the Ohio Army National Guard pedal carts, a rope bridge demonstration by the Recon Platoon, and a demonstration by the Pershing Rifles Troop L-1, a three-year national champion drill unit based at the University.
Afterward, the Campus Activities and Programming Foam Party will begin at 8 p.m. in the Flatlands and end at 11 p.m. The first 50 participates will receive free T-shirts, and other participants have a chance to receive prizes throughout the event.
In preparation for the events, lots 5 and 6 will close Thursday, Aug. 20, beginning at 3 p.m. Any remaining cars in those lots will be towed starting Friday, Aug. 21, at 8 a.m.
