University Times

New and transfer student orientation culminated on Aug. 23 with New Student Convocation. Outside the Petersen Events Center, a corridor of staff, faculty and current student leaders dressed in yellow T-shirts and lined DeSoto Street to greet 4,100 first-year Pitt students.

“We wanted to try to make convocation more of a University-wide event and welcome for students,” said Melissa Warthen, associate director of First Year Experience in the Division of Student Affairs, who organized the effort.

Starting in 2014, about 250 Pitt employees and upperclassmen, from athletic coaches to Greek leaders, have been participating annually in the tradition. Wearing orientation T-shirts and carrying signs from their departments and units, these volunteers line the Petersen steps and the sidewalk leading up to the building, along with the walkway from one of Pitt’s upper-campus residence halls, Sutherland Hall. Another cheering group continues the enthusiastic greeting on the Pete’s second floor.

“Yes! Yes! You made it! Yes!” said Sherdina Harper, giving a high-five to every student that passed her by on their way into the Pete. The coordinator of Cross Cultural and Leadership Development programming looks forward to the opening event each year.

Warthen says planning gets easier every time, as more staff and faculty want to continue the tradition. “People look forward to it and it’s on people’s radar,” said Warthen. “They’ve had more chances to participate and they want to come back year after year.”

“It’s the academic welcome to the University and officially starts the next year,” Warthen said. “It helps us increase new students’ sense of community and connectedness to Pitt.”

Staff, faculty and current student leaders line the sidewalks and steps up toward the Petersen Events Center to cheer and welcome first-year Pitt students as they make their way to New Student Convocation.

Sherdina Harper gave high-fives to each student entering the Petersen Events Center. “I love making them feel welcome,” said the coordinator of Cross Cultural and Leadership Development programming.

Jason Miller, Sam Hearn and Kayla Rothbart (left to right) from Campus Recreation volunteered to help on New Student Convocation day. “It’s really nice for staff and faculty, too,” said Rothbart. “It reminds us why we’re here.”