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Convocation Officially Kicks Off Career Of 2012 Freshmen

SOCORRO, N.M. August 17, 2012 – The 2012 school year officially kicks off with a special Convocation Ceremony at 4 p.m. Monday, August 20.

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Fabian Vigil, Class of 2009, will be the guest speaker at Convocation. All new students should attend at 4 p.m. Monday at Macey Center. Photo courtesy of Honda R&D
New students are required to attend the ceremony, which marks the official beginning of the freshmen class’ academic career at Tech. Convocation serves as the initial bookend ceremony, with commencement serving as the closing bookend.

The ceremony will close with freshmen signing the class banner and receiving a special commemorative gift from the university.

University President Dr. Daniel H. Lopez will preside over the ceremony. He will introduce university administrators, academic department chairs, the deans and the guest speaker.

Fabian Vigil, a 2009 graduate with a bachelor’s in mechanical engineering will deliver an inspiration keynote address. Vigil was the first Tech graduate to be hired by Honda Research and Development in Ohio. He has been such an impressive engineer that Honda hired five Tech graduates from the Class of 2012.

Vigil will talk about his career at Tech, his career at Honda and offer advice to new students on what makes a successful student and how to balance work and play.

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The New Mexico Tech gonfalon
Faculty members and administrators will appear in full commencement regalia. Convocation historically signifies the beginning of new students' career and is considered the official start of the academic year. After the ceremony, students are invited to mingle with faculty and administrators while enjoying snacks in the Macey Center lobby.

Also of note, New Mexico Tech will be introducing the school “gonfalon,” which is a vertical banner that many universities use as a symbol of the institution. The gonfalon is about 5 feet tall and was designed by the Office of Student Services. The banner features the New Mexico Tech seal and was purchased by the university president's office. Dr. Lopez will officially present the gonfalon to the president of the Faculty Senate, Dr. Brian Borchers. The gonfalon will be used to lead the processional march at future Commencement ceremonies.

– NMT –

By Thomas Guengerich/New Mexico Tech