Convocation is the first event to bring the incoming class of K-Staters together to mark and commemorate the beginning of the college journey, welcome students to campus, and story tell around what lies ahead. This year’s 2020 event will feature NFL star and K-State Alum, Tyler Lockett, Kansas State administrative leadership, and diverse leaders from the student body.
In a normal year, we would gather together, several thousand strong, in Bramlage Coliseum, to share in this moment of community and belonging. However, we want to put the health and safety of our community first during the time of COVID-19, so we will be gathering together virtually!
New Student Convocation 2020 will be streamed live on Sunday, August 16 from 5:30-6:15 at www.k-state.edu/convocation.
While we cannot gather in-person, K-State First has some ideas to help you creatively build community for our first-year students during this important occasion. We encourage you to watch along at the same time as your students and share in this powerful moment of K-State campus life. There is also an opportunity to move beyond watching, to process, create meaning, and build community. Below are some discussion questions you may use to encourage your students’ engagement with Convocation, and be part of the event with them.
- What is a comment or point that resonated with you about the Convocation message?
- One prominent theme of Convocation is that of Diversity and Inclusion. What does it mean to you when you hear, “Our differences make us stronger”?
- Student speakers talk about seeking support when things got tough. What resources do you feel like would help you during your first semester and why? What might you do if you get stuck?
- Many of the speakers describe the challenge of navigating college living, learning, and engagement during the time of Covid, what tools do you have to help to help you approach college adaptively and navigate uncertainty?
You can also join in on the conversation during the event in the YouTube chat or by connecting to our Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter accounts @kstatefirst. We look forward to having you be a part of this momentous event to kick-off your students’ college experiences!
Guest submission from Mariya Vaughan, K-State First Assistant Director