2008 Freshman Convocation Survey

Your thoughts and reflections on this year's Freshman Convocation are important to us. To gather information from you which will help us improve future events, a brief survey has been posted here. Completing this survey should take no more than 5-10 minutes and your input will be completely confidential. Thanks in advance for your completion of our Fall 2008 Freshman Convocation survey!

Welcome to the 2008 A&M-Kingsville Freshman Convocation!

Since 1999, A&M-Kingsville freshmen have been welcomed to campus each fall at Freshman Convocation. At this event, the freshman class of 2008 will be welcomed to our community of learners by students, staff, faculty and administrators as important campus traditions are introduced. Beginning with the processional in academic regalia and concluding with the alma mater, new Javelinas are introduced to the A&M-Kingsville mission, welcomed by campus leaders and receive encouragement from a keynote speaker.

I hope you will join us for Freshman Convocation on Wednesday, August 27 @ 1:00 pm in Jones Auditorium as we welcome our freshman class of 2008, introduce campus traditions and celebrate excellence @ A&M-Kingsville.

Once a Javelina, Always a Javelina!

Daniel A. Brown, Ph.D.
Dean, University College

Freshman Convocation Speakers

Speakers for 2007 Freshman Convocation

Brief welcoming remarks will be extended to students, families and other guests by the following:

Dr. Robert Strawser, Interim President
Dr. Ronald J. Hy, Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Dr. Thomas A. Fields, Interim Associate Vice President for Research & Graduate Studies
Mr. Gabriel Gegne, President, Student Senate

Each year, an individual is selected to deliver a brief keynote address to new A&M-Kingsville students at Freshman Convocation. This year's keynote address will be delivered by:

Dr. Tara Rios-Ybarra, District 43 Candidate for the Texas House of Representatives

With strong family ties to South Texas, Dr. Tara Rios-Ybarra looks forward to serving our families and communities as our next state representative for Texas District 43. After completing her work at the University of Texas, she graduated from the University of Texas Health Science Center with a doctorate in dental surgery and has practiced dentistry since 1997. She is a member of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences and is a past member of the 911 World Trade Center Odontology Team. Dr. Rios-Ybarra currently services as a city council member for South Padre Island. As a passionate advocate for education, she appreciates the role that school districts, community colleges and universities play in improving the quality of life for South Texans. In addition, she brings a wealth of first-hand experience as a health care provider and small business owner to her efforts on the behalf of our communities.

Important Details

Freshman Convocation will be held at A&M-Kingsville on Wednesday, August 27 @ 1:00 pm in Jones Auditorium. This annual event welcomes new freshman to the campus as important campus traditions are introduced. Convocation will last approximately 45 minutes and a reception immediately follows for students, families and guests to meet A&M-Kingsville students, staff, faculty and administrators.

Date
Wednesday, August 27

Time
Freshman Convocation will begin with the procession of University administration in academic regalia promptly at 1:00 pm. Students and guests should arrive and be seated prior to the time the processional begins.

Location
Freshman Convocation will held in Jones Auditorium on the east side of the A&M-Kingsville campus. Parking is available adjacent to the Auditorium on its south side.

Attire
Freshmen are expected to wear attire that is considered business casual. Men should wear long pants and either a sport or button-down shirt. Ties are not required. Women should wear dress pants, a skirt or a dress.

Directions to Freshman Convocation

Jones Auditorium is located on the east side of the Texas A&M University-Kingville campus and just north of the corner of Armstrong and Santa Gertrudis. Parking will be available in the lot adjacent to Jones Auditorium and an accessible entrance is located on the west side of the Auditorium.

The A&M-Kingsville campus is located adjacent to the King Ranch and on the west side of the city of Kingsville. From US 77 N or S, exit on King Avenue / TX 141 and travel west for approximately 2.3 miles. Turn north on Armstrong Street. After you reach the Santa Gertrudis stoplight, you will continue north for approximately one block. Jones Auditorium will be on the left-hand / west side of Armstrong and a detailed map, including parking, is available at http://www.tamuk.edu/map/map.gif.

Contact Information

Daniel A. Brown, Ph.D.
Dean, University College
MSC 206
700 University Boulevard
Kingsville, Texas 78363-8202
Phone: 361-593-3290
Fax: 361-593-3052
Email: Dann.Brown@tamuk.edu

Links to Images from Past Freshman Convocations @ A&M-Kingsville

Freshman Convocation provides a unique welcoming experience for new A&M-Kingsville freshmen. To learn more about this experience, a photo gallery of the 2002 Freshman Convocation can be viewed at the following link:
http://www.tamuk.edu/news/2002/september/convocation/.