The incoming class of 2012 will be officially welcomed to the Georgia Tech community at New Student Convocation on Sunday, August 19 at the Georgia World Congress Center. The Parents Program is hosting a parents and guests reception prior to the ceremony. The reception is from 3:30 to 4:00 p.m. The actual Convocation ceremony, brought to you by the Office of New Student & Sophomore Programs, begins at 5:00 p.m. and ends at 6:30 p.m.

Just as Commencement is a ceremony that marks the completion of studies, Convocation celebrates a student's entry into higher education. It is also the first formal event where the Institute's president, Dr. G. P. “Bud” Peterson, will address new students and their families and welcome them to the academic community at Georgia Tech. The vice president of student affairs, dean of students, student government association president, and other student leaders will also give welcoming remarks. Finally, students will receive their official Georgia Tech RAT cap at this ceremony. The RAT cap is a treasured Georgia Tech tradition and is only distributed at Convocation.

We hope that you can join us in welcoming the incoming class of 2012! If interested in attending the New Student Convocation reception and/or the ceremony, please contact Kim Sterritt at ksterritt@gatech.edu.