College Welcomes Class of 2014 with Opening Convocation Aug. 27

Westminster College will welcome the class of 2014 with the traditional Opening Convocation Friday, Aug. 27, at 1:30 p.m. in Orr Auditorium.

This year's 422 new students (402 freshmen and 20 transfers) will be greeted at 8 a.m. by nearly 100 Fresh Start upperclassmen, wearing tie-dye shirts. The Fresh Start staff and members of the football team will help the new freshmen and their parents unload belongings into the residence halls.

After unpacking is completed and lunch is served, the class of 2014 and their parents are invited to attend the Opening Convocation ceremony. They will receive greetings from President Dr. Richard H. Dorman and Leigha M. Krivacek, student government president and senior business administration major from Venetia. The Rev. James R. Mohr II, College chaplain, will give an invocation and a benediction. Dr. John P. Bonomo, associate professor of computer science, will present the featured address, "Abuse the Faculty." The Westminster Student Brass Ensemble will provide music under the direction of Dr. R. Tad Greig, associate professor of music, while College organist Kathryn D. Miller will provide processional and recessional music. The Alma Mater will be led by Karen A. Biddle, senior music performance major from Silver Spring, Md.

After a special president's reception, the parents of the first-year students will say their good-byes. When the parents depart, the new students will be divided among the Fresh Start volunteers, who will serve as the group leaders for the next week of organized activities.

Contact Camille Hawthorne, associate dean of student affairs, at (724) 946-7112 or e-mail hawthorc@westminster.edu for more information about Westminster's Fresh Start Program.

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