Convocation: Friday, August 22
We are excited to welcome you, Class of 2029!

What is Convocation?

Convocation is a ceremony that marks the beginning of your academic journey at The University of Akron. During this ceremony, new students and the UA community at large will be welcomed by President R.J. Nemer, the Undergraduate Student Government President, and also members of the City of Akron.

Convocation introduces new Zips to our UA community, rich traditions, and Akron pride. It is an opportunity for students to come together as a class, celebrate the start of their college experience, and experience the sense of community and belonging on campus!

As a part of the experience, students also receive their Zippy pins, which represents a commitment to learning and connection to the University community. Join us on August 22 as we set the tone for the college experience ahead!

2025 SCHEDULE
TIME	LOCATION	DETAILS
11 - 11:30 a.m.	First Energy Stadium Rain location: The JAR	Convocation Seating As students enter the stadium, you will receive your Zippy pins and a program. Students will engage in UA pride, traditions, and history trivia hosted by Willy Kollman and Chris Stimler.
11:30 a.m. - Noon	First Energy Stadium Rain location: The JAR	Convocation National Anthem Welcome & President Introduction (Willy Kollman) New Student Welcome & Convocation Tradition (President R.J. Nemer) Welcome from the City of Akron (Brittany Zaehringer) Student Body Welcome (USG President) Closing & Reception Transition (Willy Kollman)
Noon - 1 p.m.	Coleman Common	New Student Welcome Reception Students and faculty will join after Convocation on Coleman Common. Students will have the opportunity to connect with peers, faculty, and staff from their colleges before making their way to their individual college welcome events. The reception provides new students the chance take part in the “GO ZIPS” photo opportunity, yard games provided by SRWC, and enjoy food and music.
1 - 3 p.m.	Meet our leaders in white Made Well In Akron shirts at your colleges' flag color - we will lead you to the event!	Individual College Welcome Events Students are asked to RSVP for their individual college welcome event to take place after Convocation and the reception to further their connect with their college. This invitation is sent to students' UA email accounts in early August.
Buchtel College of Arts & Sciences *Green flag*	Buchtel College of Arts & Sciences Welcome Kickoff Students having a major that is part of the Buchtel College of Arts & Sciences (BCAS) will be warmly welcomed by their department or school faculty. All new BCAS students are expected to attend their department or school welcome event—so RSVP today to let your faculty know you are coming! Faculty have designed events specific to their programs, but all include: meeting with key faculty and staff in the program, being informed of the many special opportunities for majors, obtaining essential information about how to navigate the department or school and be successful in the major. In addition, BCAS welcome events may include new students meeting with current students to learn from their firsthand experiences, tours of state-of-the-art labs or studios or other facilities, presentations about student organizations related to the major and how to get involved, beverages/snacks/giveaways and more!
College of Business Atrium *Orange flag*	Experience Business Friday, Aug. 22! Join us for an ice cream sundae bar and the opportunity to learn about the College of Business Experience! Connect with Business student organizations, faculty, and the academic departments – plus, meet your CoB Success Seminar Leaders and the Dean's Team. See you soon, and Go Zips!
Mary Gladwin Hall Outside of the main entrance on Carroll St. *Red flag*	College of Health and Human Sciences Welcome to campus from the College of Health and Human Sciences! Visit us for snacks, games, raffles and fun!
Auburn Science & Engineering Center Bridge area and inside building *Blue flag*	Welcome to the College of Engineering and Polymer Science! Join us to connect with our amazing student organizations and award-winning design teams. Chat with academic advisers and faculty, explore the Co-op and Placement program, and learn about the academic support resources available through the College of Engineering and Polymer Science. And yes—snacks will be provided!
Simmons Hall Front lawn Purple flag	Fun and Games with Exploratory Advising Join Exploratory Advising for games and prizes on the lawn in front of Simmons Hall. After a brief introduction, you will have the opportunity to meet and chat with our staff and play games while you connect with your classmates! We will also have popsicles and light refreshments.
3 - 4 p.m.	Various locations	Focused Welcome Events The following special groups have extended a special invite and hosted individual welcome events/socials for participants in their programs. First Gen Zips (front lawn of Simmons Hall): Are there really free services of academic support, tutoring, and mentorship at UA? YES! You'll find a celebration of student success and support services at the corner of Buchtel Ave. and College St. - and we want YOU to be a part of it! Connect with fellow Zips, enjoy free snacks (plus, sno cones!), and play a few yard games while you explore resource and informational tables hosted by student support offices. Don’t forget to complete the event passport for your chance to win one of two prizes (each valued at $100+)! Collegiate Success Programs, Peer Mentoring, Akron Rises, Say Yes, and I PROMISE will also be hosting welcome activities in the same location…so whether you’re the first in your family attend college or just curious about programs that can help you have a great year, there are plenty of great reasons to stop by! This event is open to all new and returning students. Stop by to meet new people and learn about the academic support offices and programs that are here to help you thrive at UA. Williams Honors College (WHC) Scholars (Student Union Ballrooms): The WHC is hosting a kickoff event for first and second year students. Join us in the Student Union Ballrooms to learn more about upcoming honors events, requirements, and more! The WHC staff will be there to answer questions as well. After the presentation, you are welcome to sign up for Honors student organizations outside of the Ballroom and enjoy Zippy cookies - see you there! Transfer Student Remix (Simmons Hall, room 209): Still unsure of how your credits transferred? The transfer team is here to help! You can also swap your old school gear for a new UA tee for free!

2025 SCHEDULE

TIME

LOCATION

DETAILS

11 - 11:30 a.m.

First Energy Stadium

Rain location: The JAR

Convocation Seating

As students enter the stadium, you will receive your Zippy pins and a program. Students will engage in UA pride, traditions, and history trivia hosted by Willy Kollman and Chris Stimler.

11:30 a.m. - Noon

First Energy Stadium

Rain location: The JAR

Convocation

National Anthem
Welcome & President Introduction (Willy Kollman)
New Student Welcome & Convocation Tradition (President R.J. Nemer)
Welcome from the City of Akron (Brittany Zaehringer)
Student Body Welcome (USG President)
Closing & Reception Transition (Willy Kollman)

Noon - 1 p.m.

Coleman Common

New Student Welcome Reception

Students and faculty will join after Convocation on Coleman Common. Students will have the opportunity to connect with peers, faculty, and staff from their colleges before making their way to their individual college welcome events. The reception provides new students the chance take part in the “GO ZIPS” photo opportunity, yard games provided by SRWC, and enjoy food and music.

1 - 3 p.m.

Meet our leaders in white Made Well In Akron shirts at your colleges' flag color - we will lead you to the event!

Individual College Welcome Events

Students are asked to RSVP for their individual college welcome event to take place after Convocation and the reception to further their connect with their college. This invitation is sent to students' UA email accounts in early August.

Buchtel College of Arts & Sciences

Green flag

Buchtel College of Arts & Sciences Welcome Kickoff

Students having a major that is part of the Buchtel College of Arts & Sciences (BCAS) will be warmly welcomed by their department or school faculty. All new BCAS students are expected to attend their department or school welcome event—so RSVP today to let your faculty know you are coming! Faculty have designed events specific to their programs, but all include:

meeting with key faculty and staff in the program,
being informed of the many special opportunities for majors,
obtaining essential information about how to navigate the department or school and be successful in the major.

In addition, BCAS welcome events may include new students meeting with current students to learn from their firsthand experiences, tours of state-of-the-art labs or studios or other facilities, presentations about student organizations related to the major and how to get involved, beverages/snacks/giveaways and more!

College of Business

Atrium

Orange flag

Experience Business Friday, Aug. 22!

Join us for an ice cream sundae bar and the opportunity to learn about the College of Business Experience! Connect with Business student organizations, faculty, and the academic departments – plus, meet your CoB Success Seminar Leaders and the Dean's Team. See you soon, and Go Zips!

Mary Gladwin Hall

Outside of the main entrance on Carroll St.

Red flag

College of Health and Human Sciences

Welcome to campus from the College of Health and Human Sciences! Visit us for snacks, games, raffles and fun!

Auburn Science & Engineering Center

Bridge area and inside building

Blue flag

Welcome to the College of Engineering and Polymer Science!

Join us to connect with our amazing student organizations and award-winning design teams. Chat with academic advisers and faculty, explore the Co-op and Placement program, and learn about the academic support resources available through the College of Engineering and Polymer Science. And yes—snacks will be provided!

Simmons Hall

Front lawn

Purple flag

Fun and Games with Exploratory Advising

Join Exploratory Advising for games and prizes on the lawn in front of Simmons Hall. After a brief introduction, you will have the opportunity to meet and chat with our staff and play games while you connect with your classmates! We will also have popsicles and light refreshments.

3 - 4 p.m.

Various locations

Focused Welcome Events

The following special groups have extended a special invite and hosted individual welcome events/socials for participants in their programs.

First Gen Zips (front lawn of Simmons Hall): Are there really free services of academic support, tutoring, and mentorship at UA? YES! You'll find a celebration of student success and support services at the corner of Buchtel Ave. and College St. - and we want YOU to be a part of it! Connect with fellow Zips, enjoy free snacks (plus, sno cones!), and play a few yard games while you explore resource and informational tables hosted by student support offices. Don’t forget to complete the event passport for your chance to win one of two prizes (each valued at $100+)! Collegiate Success Programs, Peer Mentoring, Akron Rises, Say Yes, and I PROMISE will also be hosting welcome activities in the same location…so whether you’re the first in your family attend college or just curious about programs that can help you have a great year, there are plenty of great reasons to stop by! This event is open to all new and returning students. Stop by to meet new people and learn about the academic support offices and programs that are here to help you thrive at UA.
Williams Honors College (WHC) Scholars (Student Union Ballrooms): The WHC is hosting a kickoff event for first and second year students. Join us in the Student Union Ballrooms to learn more about upcoming honors events, requirements, and more! The WHC staff will be there to answer questions as well. After the presentation, you are welcome to sign up for Honors student organizations outside of the Ballroom and enjoy Zippy cookies - see you there!
Transfer Student Remix (Simmons Hall, room 209): Still unsure of how your credits transferred? The transfer team is here to help! You can also swap your old school gear for a new UA tee for free!