New Student and Family Convocation Set to Kick Off
The 19th annual official welcome to SDSU will be split into three on-campus ceremonies Aug. 20-21, as well as livestreamed.
New Student and Family Convocation marks a new chapter for students and their families as they officially become members of the San Diego State University community.
This year’s 19th annual event will take place over three ceremonies to adhere to the California Department of Public Health COVID-19 policies for large-scale events. These ceremonies, organized by the student’s college, are set for Friday, Aug. 20 and Saturday, Aug. 21 at the Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre. All fall 2021 admitted freshmen, transfer and graduate students and their families are encouraged to participate in this special event, which will also be livestreamed on the SDSU homepage and Facebook page for those who do not wish to attend in person.
This year’s convocation will be a ticketed event. Proof of a COVID-19 vaccination will not be required for students and families to attend, additionally, all in attendance will be required to wear a facial covering during the ceremony. As the ceremonies will take place outdoors, students and parents are asked to prepare for sunny and hot weather. Details on ticketing and scheduling can be found on the New Student and Family Convocation website.
Friday, Aug. 20 - 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. (gates open at 4:45 p.m.)
- College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts
- College of Sciences
Saturday, Aug. 21 - 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. (gates open at 7:45 a.m.)
- College of Arts and Letters
- Fowler College of Business
- College of Education
Saturday, Aug. 21 - 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. (gates open at 9:45 a.m.)
- College of Engineering
- College of Health and Human Services
- Undeclared
“New Student and Family Convocation is a cherished tradition for our incoming students and their families,” said Randy Timm, dean of students and associate vice president. “The event honors both the students’ achievement in being accepted to SDSU and their families support in achieving this life milestone.” Timm will serve as the master of ceremonies for this year’s events.
The convocation immerses new students in some of the university’s most beloved traditions, such as the parent and family pinning ceremony, the Alma Mater and the Mexica Tiahui Aztec Declaration.
New parents also enter the SDSU family, receiving special pins specifically for parents. Parents who have attended previous New Student and Family Convocations have called the ceremony “inspirational, emotional, exciting” and a necessary part of the new-student process.
This year’s convocation will include the Kumeyaay Land Acknowledgement by SDSU Tribal Liaison Jacob Alvarado Waipuk and remarks from SDSU President Adela de la Torre, Provost Hector Ochoa, Vice President J. Luke Wood, Associated Students President Ashley Tejada, and Aztec Parent Advisory Board Members Lisa and Chris Manzuk.
New Student and Family Convocation is one of the many special events for new students during Welcome Weeks and Aztec Nights, a series of SDSU-sponsored events aimed at integrating new students, and welcoming back continuing students, into the campus culture.
