Inaugural Program To Welcome Incoming Bearkats

Rick Rigsby, motivational speaker and a faculty member in Texas A&M’s communications department, will give freshmen tips on “making an impact, not just an impression” during college as the keynote speaker at Sam Houston State University’s first New Student Convocation on Saturday (Aug. 20).

The convocation will be held at 5 p.m. in the Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum.

“ This is their official welcome to the university,” said First Year Experience director Keri Rogers.

The event will include a university-wide welcome by President James F. Gaertner, a speech on the benefits of being involved on campus by Student Government Association president Kendrick Spencer and a parent perspective by alumna Paula Pemberton, followed by cheers with the SHSU spirit teams and the fight song.

Adding a touch of “formality” to the event, approximately 75-100 faculty, staff and convocation committee members will be dressed in regalia as worn during the commencement ceremonies.

“ One of the things we wanted to do was to introduce them to the things that they’ll experience at graduation,” Rogers said. “On the back of the program we put what the university mace is and what the gonfalons are and a brief on the academic regalia, but not as in detail as in a commencement program. So at least they are going to see these things and know what it means before graduation.”

The flagship event, designed to celebrate and welcome new Bearkats to SHSU for the First Year Experience office, was modeled after similar ceremonies held at universities where committee members either attended or worked at, said convocation committee member Marcus Gillespie, whose alma mater, Northwest Missouri State, held a new student convocation.

“ One of the other things that we’re trying to do with it is to help students understand that this is a major step in life, that they’re leaving high school and entering college and it’s very important from the standpoint of coming with the attitude of wanting to work hard, study hard and achieve,” he said.

In addition, events like this have been known to help retention rates, he said.

“ The purpose of the convocation is to help the students feel as though they are part of the university, and ultimately it helps students, once they form that connection, it helps with retention,” Gillespie said. “The retention rates went way up, something like 15 or 20 percent (at the university he attended), so it was a very significant increase in retention.

“ Part of that is if the student understands how to transition and they make that connection with the university, then it makes them more motivated, (then) they’re more likely to succeed,” he said. “That’s really what determines that first year, whether or not they come back, is whether or not they succeeded. Most students have the ability to succeed; what they may simply lack is the direction, or how to go about doing it.”

The event is also designed to give parents a glimpse of the university their children are attending.
With approximately 1900 freshmen moving into the residence halls that weekend, Rogers said she feels the event will have a good turnout, from both students and parents.

“ When they get here that first night, it’s kind of a farewell for the parents—and they can say goodbye—and a welcome for the students,” she said.

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SHSU Media Contact: Jennifer Gauntt
Aug. 12, 2005
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