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Around Campus

Convocation punctuates Week of Welcome

Chancellor Carol L. Folt and nearly 4,000 first-year students kicked off the school year at New Student Convocation and FallFast.

Students cheer during New Student Convocation.
Students cheer following a performance by the Loreleis during New Student Convocation at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Carolina opened the fall 2014 semester with the New Student Convocation on Sunday evening with true Tar Heel pride – and some cutting-edge technology.

Chancellor Carol L. Folt led the new-student mix of tradition and contemporary fun with a twist: she wore Google Glass loaned to her by Honors Carolina junior Pranati Panuganti, who uses her studies to assist with the N.C. Jaycee Burn Center.

Folt welcomed those in attendance by recognizing that each student brings something special to Chapel Hill.

“Carolina will change you, then you will be equipped to change Carolina and the world,’’ she said.

Malinda Maynor Lowery, an associate professor of history and director of the Southern Oral History program, gave the keynote address, highlighting the 2014 summer reading selection “The Round House” by Louise Erdrich. Lowery noted that the book’s theme of resiliency could help new students stay focused on goals set for themselves at Carolina, and perhaps through some late nights studying.

At the end of Convocation, students opened envelopes that contained copies of UNC’s Honor Code, which was recited by the roughly 4,000 in attendance. They also were given a tassel to remind them of their privilege and ultimate destination as students.

After Convocation, new students joined upperclassmen at FallFest, where they visited tables sponsored by student groups and campus offices to learn how to get involved at Carolina – which features more than 600 officially recognized student organizations on campus. It was a fun celebration that continued a Week of Welcome that included move-in, greetings, music and the budding excitement of a new year.