September 20, 2018
UW Convocation welcomes largest-ever class of new students
Freshman Convocation for the Class of 2020University of Washington
The University of Washington in Seattle is welcoming its largest-ever incoming class — about 7,050 freshmen — in ceremonies this Sunday. The university’s 35th annual New Student Convocation, begins at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 23, in the Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion.
UW lecturer Kristi Straus, recipient of the 2017 University of Washington Distinguished Teaching Award, will be the featured speaker.
Convocation welcomes the entering class and officially marks the beginning of the academic year, with classes starting Sept. 26. More than 7,000 people are expected to attend this year’s event, which will be streamed live by UWTV.
The academic procession will be led by Joseph Janes, associate professor in the UW’s Information School and university marshal, carrying the university mace. President Ana Mari Cauce, Provost Mark Richards, members of the Board of Regents, deans, vice presidents, vice provosts and student leaders will march in the procession. The convocation will feature music by the University Wind Ensemble.
After the convocation, Cauce will host the 12th annual President’s Picnic on the Rainier Vista lawn. About 1,500 students, family members and friends are expected to attend.
Fast facts:
- Preliminary figures show the incoming freshman class will include the largest class ever, about 7,050 students
- Around 4,450 incoming students are from Washington – a record number of in-state students.
- The incoming class has the second highest number of underrepresented students ever, following last year’s record number
- An additional 1,500 transfer students are expected to arrive this fall, more than 1,300 of whom will be from Washington community colleges.
- UW Bothell and UW Tacoma also are projected to welcome their largest freshman classes, with 831 and 702 freshmen expected, respectively
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For more information, contact Jackson Holtz at 206-543-2580 or jjholtz@uw.edu.
Tag(s): UW convocation
