Friday, August 24, 2011 3 p.m. Hooper Eblen Center
Liz Murray, 2012 Convocation speaker
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Murray’s inspirational story was captured on Lifetime Television’s original film, Homeless to Harvard: The Liz Murray Story, which was nominated for three Emmys. She has spent the last 10 years traveling to over a dozen countries, inspiring thousands of people as one of the most highly sought after inspirational speakers in the world. That same gutsy strength that pulled her from the streets now empowers the lives of others, from student groups to business audiences and people from all walks of life seeking strategies to overcome their own obstacles. Liz’s gift is to work closely with a person to become attune to the most heartfelt vision they hold for their life, and to develop highly personalized tools to support them in creating deeper fulfillment and success defined on their terms. Liz has been featured on ABC News 20/20, Good Morning America, the Today Show, CNN, written up in The New York Times, as well as numerous other media outlets. She has authored advice columns in the New York Times Upfront Magazine and she is the author of the New York Times bestselling Breaking Night, her memoir, which was released in September 2010. She has been awarded the White House Project’s Role Model Award, a Christopher Award as well as being among the first to receive from Oprah Winfrey, the “Chutzpah Award,” on the Oprah Winfrey Show. Liz has shared the stage with Steven Covey, Mikhail Gorbachev, the Dali Lama and Tony Blair. She currently lives in New York City and brings her empowerment work across the United States and throughout the world. |
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Important Information for Fall 2012 Convocation Ceremony
The convocation program will begin with the Gonfalon bearers and macebearer leading the processional. The macebearer is followed by the marshalls, the platform party, and the faculty. There will be two lines with the president leading the right line and the provost and vice president for academic affairs leading the left.
The University President will have an opening statement and then will introduce the Convocation speaker. Following the speaker's address, the President will extend appreciation to the faculty, guests, and others involved with the ceremony.
Dr. Mark Stephens, Provost Vice President for Academic Affairs, will intoduce the academic Deans and lead the new students in the Academic Oath of Integrity.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, The Pride of Tennessee Tech Marching Band will march onto the floor of the Hooper Eblen Center to lead everyone in singing the Tennessee Tech Hymn. After the hymn has concluded, the Marching Band will recess the Hooper Eblen Center followed by the platform party, faculty, and new students. Guests will exit from the second floor of the Hooper Eblen Center and make their way to Dixie Avenue.
Seating assistance and parking for visitors with disabilities:
Ushers will be located on the concourse of the Hooper Eblen Center to assist those with physical limitations or disabilities. A special section has been reserved for students, faculty, and guests. Students will sit in a group facing the platform, and guests will fill in the surrounding sections. An interpreter for the hearing impaired will be on the right side of the stage during the ceremony.
Parking for those with disabilities will be available on McGee Blvd (east side), in a special parking lot on the west side of the arena (just off Willow Ave), and in the lot south of the arena (if needed). Officers will be stationed at the semi-circle on the east side and the small parking lot on the west side to assist with handicap passenger drop-off. Please do not leave cars parked on semi-circle; this area is for drop-off only.
We ask our new students to please wear the Purple Week of Welcome T-shirts received at SOAR. All other guests can attend in casual attire.
Convocation Etiquette:
We sincerely request your attention and respect for the ceremony on Friday afternoon. All of the students have worked very hard to reach this point of beginning college, and we ask that you follow the precepts described during the ceremony.
General parking will be available in lots to the east of Hooper Eblen Center. Parking for those with disabilities will be available on McGee Blvd (east side), in a special parking lot on the west side of the arena (just off Willow Ave), and in the lot south of the arena (if needed). Officers will be stationed at the semi-circle on the east side and the small parking lot on the west side to assist with handicap passenger drop-off.
All parking lots are available for parking during convocation. However, tickets will be given if you are not in a legal parking space. Please do not park in the grass, street, fire lanes, etc.
Information for Students
All new students are encouraged to participate in this unique ceremony. Regular reminders will be sent to new students and family members the week before the ceremony.
Participating Faculty and Staff will be adorned in full academic regalia. During the ceremony, men shall remove caps during prayers, the playing of the Tech Hymn, and during the convocation address. If you forget when to remove your cap, please refer to the convocation program that denotes the proper times to remove caps.
In addition to the Week of Welcome t-shirts, we ask that students dress in casual and comfortable attire in order to enjoy the Class of 2016 Group Picture and Student Organization Mix n' Mingle immediately following the ceremony.
A note about celebrating — please do not bring “silly string” products to the ceremony. Chemicals in the product react with the mats and flooring in the arena and cause extensive and costly damage.
On Friday afternoon, the ceremony will begin promptly at 3:00pm Central Daylight Time. We ask all participants and guests to arrive and be seated in the Hooper Eblen Center by 2:30pm. SOA's from the Orientation and Student Success Office will be in the concourse area to assist with line-up and seating. As you file into the arena and get to your row, these personnel will be standing by to ensure that each row is filled and everyone has a seat.
Video of 2010 Convocation Ceremony:
If you would like to view a video compilation of the ceremony please use the following link: 2010 Convocation Ceremony.
