Processional, fair to celebrate UW Tacoma Convocation

Join new and returning UW Tacoma students for a purple-and-gold parade through downtown Tacoma and a campus-wide community reception and fair at UW Tacoma's 2012 Convocation on Friday, Sept. 28, from 1 to 4:30 p.m.

The event to formally welcome new students to campus will begin with a six-way processional of students, families, faculty, staff and alumni, accompanied by musicians, following six different routes through downtown to the center of campus. The parade will be followed by a brief welcome from Chancellor Debra Friedman and Tacoma Mayor Marilyn Strickland and a campus fair featuring Tacoma businesses and nonprofit organizations.

This is UW Tacoma's first convocation since 1999, and the first one ever of this type. University leaders hope it will establish a new tradition for the young campus.

“Our convocation reflects UW Tacoma’s mission to work in concert with our community in all things, including welcoming our new students,” Friedman said. “By symbolically starting their journey to campus from six of our closest partners, students will begin to understand that the whole community is committed to helping them achieve their educational dreams. And, frankly, it’s a lot more fun than a bunch of talking heads in an auditorium!”

The event is open to the public, and community members are welcome to join the processional along any of the six routes. Everyone who participates is encouraged to wear purple and gold to celebrate UW Tacoma’s Husky spirit. Each of the six parade groups will be accompanied by musicians, including Native American drums, a middle-school drum line, a kazoo band and more.

The processionals will depart starting at 1:45 p.m. from the Al Davies branch of Boys & Girls Club, the Broadway Center for the Performing Arts, KeyBank, Tacoma Art Museum, the Museum of Glass and Native Quest.

Welcoming remarks will begin at 2:25 on the staircase in the center of campus. The community fair begins at 3 p.m. Downtown Tacoma museums, retailers, eateries and more will have tables at the fair, with food and products available to sample or buy.