MONROE, LA — Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½ annual freshman convocation will kick off its traditional parade across the bridge to Fant-Ewing Coliseum at 5:30 p.m. August 29. Convocation is a tradition at Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½ that symbolizes the official start of the academic year. This year’s convocation is unique in that it will be a culmination of the first Warhawk Way Summit, where freshmen learned the spirit of the University’s culture.
Freshmen are the focus of convocation, which begins with a walk across the Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½ bridge on Northeast Drive and ends in Fant-Ewing Coliseum. The walk and destination represent the beginning of their academic journey and its ending when they receive their degrees in the Coliseum at graduation. Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½â€™s spirit groups and Sound of Today marching band will join the freshmen in their march across the bridge.
President Ron Berry will address the students, along with featured Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½ alumnus guest speaker Kylie Austin, Student Government Association President Ethan Estis and Campus Activities Board President Thomyan Turner. A pep rally, tailgating party and fireworks show will follow convocation.
Freshmen are encouraged to wear their Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½ PREP shirt to show Warhawk pride.
Convocation schedule:Â
-5:00 p.m. – Freshmen join PREP and Peer leaders at the Kitty DeGree Bell Tower in
front of the Library. The colleges and faculty along with returning students are invited
to follow the freshmen. Other campus members are also invited to participate.Â
-5:30 p.m. – March across the bridge led by Ace, Sound of Today, Spirit Groups, the
President's Executive Council, and Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½'s First Lady. Freshmen enter the Coliseum through
the Sound of Today tunnel.
-6:10 p.m. – Sound of Today leads the march to Malone Stadium Â
-6:30 p.m. – Pep Rally with Coach Terry Bowden and football players, Spirit Groups,
and the Sound of Today Â
-7:00 p.m. – Tailgating in the Student Grove Â
-8:30 p.m.  – Fireworks show