Welcome, New Tritons—Your Adventure Begins Here
UC San Diego formally welcomed first-year undergraduate students, transfer students and incoming graduate students during annual Convocation
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RIMAC Field was buzzing with energy and anticipation on Sept. 26 as UC San Diego formally welcomed incoming students into the academic community during its annual New Student Welcome Convocation. From a celebratory pre-show to a post-ceremony festival with live music and more, the university’s newest Tritons joyously marked the beginning of their next adventure.
“As we like to say here, ‘Every great adventure starts somewhere.’ Yours starts here today, as I officially welcome you into this prestigious scholarly community and into the UC San Diego Triton family,” said Chancellor Pradeep K. Khosla as he addressed the university’s newest students. “You are each uniquely qualified for this prestigious education, and you have earned your place at UC San Diego.”
The traditional “bookend” to Commencement, Convocation serves as an opportunity for UC San Diego’s new students to hear from campus leaders and engage with faculty at the start of their collegiate journey. This year, for the first time ever, the well-attended event embraced incoming graduate students alongside first-year undergraduate and transfer students.
“This place has a magical way of connecting people,” George Chi Ioi Lo, president of Associated Students of UC San Diego, said to the crowd. “UC San Diego is not just a university. It’s a vibrant community where boundaries are pushed and dreams become reality.”
Get a glimpse of the excitement captured by campus photographer Erik Jepsen as he documented the lively occasion in the photos below.
"This place has a magical way of connecting people. UC San Diego is not just a university. It’s a vibrant community where boundaries are pushed and dreams become reality."
During the post ceremony festival, students enjoyed inflatables and games, a tasting experience from Housing, Dining and Hospitality, the Wander Wagen Photobooth & Bus and more as they made new friends and got to know their new classmates.
Students cheer for their respective undergraduate colleges at the start of the New Student Welcome Convocation. For the first time, cheering sections included students from UC San Diego's brand-new Eighth College as well as graduate and professional students.
Chancellor Pradeep K. Khosla, left, and Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Elizabeth Simmons, right, addressed the university's newest students with words of welcome and inspiration as they prepared to embark on their UC San Diego journey.
Members of the campus community shared their talents during the pre-show and post-ceremony celebration, including (left to right) UC San Diego Ballet Folklorico, campus band Arkangels and Japanese drumming group Asayake Taiko.
Giulia Corno, left, president of the Graduate & Professional Student Association, shared insights with UC San Diego's newest students while standing alongside Associated Students president George Chi Ioi Lo. This year marked the first in the university's history that incoming graduate students were part of Convocation. Student poet Qui Shawn Tran, right, read an original poem entitled "My Dream is a Choice."
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