WILLIAMSBURG — Continuing a tradition that was reinaugurated during the university’s tercentenary in 1993, William & Mary will begin the fall semester next week with its Opening Convocation to celebrate the start of the academic session.
On the first day of fall classes — Wednesday, Aug. 28 — at 7:15 p.m., faculty, staff and students will gather at the Sir Christopher Wren Building to signify the beginning of the academic year and to officially welcome all entering William & Mary students.
Celebrated cardiologist and barrier-breaking musician Dr. Cleveland “Cleve” Francis Jr., a W&M 1969 graduate, will be the guest speaker.
After the ceremony each year, the official party leads those in attendance around the building to the opposite side.
According to the university, per tradition, all students who are new to W&M remain at the ceremony site with the university president. Then, at the tolling of the Wren Building bell, the president leads the group in a special procession through the portico of the building to the other side, where current members of the faculty, staff and student body welcome the new students.
A festive campus-wide celebration follows for the entire campus community.
Not unlike its commencement exercises which mark the close of an academic session, this ceremony is a time of affirming and enhancing the sense of community, according to the university.
The Opening Convocation ceremony will be broadcast live.
All first-year and new transfer residential students begin moving in on campus starting Friday, Aug. 23 at 8 a.m.
