Three important messages await new University of Alabama in Huntsville students at Convocation on Sunday, Aug. 13, during Week of Welcome, says Dr. Rhonda Kay Gaede, interim associate provost for undergraduate education.
- Welcome to UAH! We are so happy to have you here.
- You have accomplished much already, and the best is yet to come.
- The university community is committed to your success. There are many support services available to you. Make good use of them.
A required event for new students, Convocation will be held from 3 to 4:30 p.m. at Spragins Hall. PlayFair follows Convocation at Spragins lawn from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. with Charger Blue BBQ happening from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on the Charger Union lawn.
Gaede, also an associate professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, points out a few firsts planned for this first Convocation since COVID.
“This is the first convocation that will be held in conjunction with a WOW tradition event that targets students new to UAH,” she says. “This is the first time we will take a picture using a drone with students forming the shape of a horseshoe. As far as I know, this is the first time that the pep band will be there to lead the students in the UAH fight song and alma mater. This is the first time that there will be a brief introduction to the history of UAH.”
New students were sent a survey during the summer, and characteristics of the new students collected from that survey will be presented during the program, she says.
The leadership speaker is a big part of Convocation. This year’s guest is New York Times bestselling author Harlan Cohen, a recognized expert in helping students find success on campus. His most recent book is “WIN or LEARN: The Naked Truth About Turning Every Rejection Into Your Ultimate Success.”
Cohen describes the book and the overall focus of his work on his website: “I love helping people find support, happiness, hope, love, and light. … This book helps people of all ages navigating change [to] set goals, overcome rejection, and get wherever they want to go (or someplace even better). My specialty is helping people get comfortable with the uncomfortable.”
