Tarleton welcomes incoming freshmen, the Class of 2012, as they take their place among our community of learners on August 24th, 2008 in Wisdom Gym.

The purpose of Freshman Convocation is to create and foster among incoming freshmen an awareness of and appreciation for the enduring values and responsibilities of membership in the higher education academic community. A corollary purpose is to deepen each student's personal commitment to the pursuit of a baccalaureate degree at Tarleton State University.

The goals of the convocation ceremony are to:

• Create a formal ceremonial atmosphere that is both educational and inspirational in tone and content.
• Engage our new freshmen publicly in one or more acts of personal identification such as oral oaths and candle lighting.
• Acquaint students with symbolic importance and meaning of academic regalia, the University mace and official seal, and graduation with Latin honors, Cum laude, magna cum laude and summa cum laude.
• Hear brief summary remarks of both welcome and challenge from the Student Body President, Faculty Senate President and the President of the University.
• Hear a formal convocation address emphasizing the critical importance of higher education in the lives of individuals and the larger society to be given each year by persons who have made significant and enduring contributions to Tarleton State University or persons of significant and enduring public, academic or intellectual achievement.

From the opening faculty processional, to the symbols and traditions of academia and words of encouragement from accomplished professors, Freshman Convocation will be a memorable and exciting start for Tarleton's undergraduate students.