New Student Convocation

New Student Convocation is the official academic welcome for first-year students and marks your entrance into the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. As a new UL Lafayette student, you will have the chance to learn about opportunities awaiting you in your college. At Convocation, students, administrators, and faculty will share their own experiences and advice — about making the most of your time at UL Lafayette, finding your people, and making your mark.

WHERE YOUR COLLEGIATE JOURNEY BEGINS!

2023 New Student Convocation

Welcome, Class of 2027! All incoming first-year UL Lafayette students are required to attend New Student Convocation. Convocation will be on Thursday, August 17, 2023 at 5:30 pm in the Cajundome. Doors will open at 4:30 pm and FREE food and drinks will be available for students. Please bring your CAJUN CARD; students will swipe their Cajun Card as they enter the Cajundome. There will be a clear bag policy in place at the Cajundome, please plan accordingly.

New Student Convocation Additional Information

Students will attend their Cajun Connection class and then proceed to New Student Convocation immediately following Cajun Connection. Students are encouraged to park at Cajun Field and cross Cajundome Blvd. via the pedestrian tunnel. Shuttle transportation from campus will also be available and will pick up in front of the Student Union on McKinley Street. After the Convocation Ceremony, students will participate in the Class of 2027 class photo. We will close out the evening with an awesome fireworks show!

Meet the 2023 Convocation Speakers

	Johnnie Hardy, III Major: Nursing; Minor in Business Hometown: Lake Charles, Louisiana High School: Barbe High School Classification: Sophomore Fun Fact: I like to smell good.
	Colby Hebert Major: Political Science Hometown: Lafayette, Louisiana High School: Southside High School Classification: Senior Fun Fact: My favorite place to travel is Washington D.C.
	Mynmayh Khamvongsa Hometown: Youngsville High School: Early College Academy Major: Systems Engineering Classification: PhD Fun Fact: I love learning languages and drawing architecture in my spare time.
	Lauren Lopez Major: Business Management Hometown: Lafayette, Louisiana High School: St. Thomas More Catholic High School Classification: Senior Fun Fact: I spent a summer working at Yale at National Student Leadership Conference!
	Trinity Magee Hometown: New Orleans, Louisiana Major: Psychology High School: Abramson Sci Academy Classification: Senior Fun Fact: I love to write poetry & learn to crotchet in my free time!
	Caemon Scott Major: Strategic Communications; Concentration in Public Relations; Minor in Criminal Justice Hometown: Lafayette, Louisiana High School: Lafayette Christian Academy Classification: Junior Fun Fact: I’m afraid of the dark.
	Grayson Stepanek Major: Master of Business Administration (Graduate); Marketing (Undergraduate) Hometown: Lafayette, Louisiana High School: Westminster Christian Academy (Opelousas, LA) Classification: Graduate Student Fun Fact: I've never had Taco Bell.
	Emma Taylor Major: Sport Management Hometown: Houston, Texas High School: North Cedar Academy Classification: Senior Fun Fact: I used to show Llamas in the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo- the largest rodeo in the world!
	Annaclaire Zerangue Major: Psychology; Minor in English Hometown: Lafayette, Louisiana High School: St. Thomas More Catholic High School Classification: Junior Fun Fact: I lived in Cajun Village with my dad when I was four years old.