As students are moving in and FOCUS events continue, it’s a great time to remind everyone of a few exciting, traditional events that offer opportunities for the Stetson community to gather and engage during the upcoming week.

Faculty/Staff Meeting

The Opening Faculty and Staff Meeting will be Wednesday, Aug. 24, at 9:00 a.m., in the Edmunds Center. President Wendy B. Libby and Interim Executive Vice President and Provost Noel Painter will introduce the “Many Voices, One Stetson” project, and report on the development of strategic partners and the outlook for 2016-17.

All faculty and staff are expected to attend.  If you are in an office that must remain open during this time, the meeting can be viewed live on the Stetson Broadcast Productions channel on Ustream.tv.  Coffee, iced tea, and water will be available at 8:30 a.m.

Convocation & Community Dinner

Convocation represents the formal opening of the 2016-17 academic year. This year’s convocation is Wednesday, Aug. 24, 5:00 p.m., at the Edmunds Center and all faculty and staff are asked to participate.

Faculty (in academic regalia) should gather in the Hollis Center Lounge at 4:30 p.m. in preparation for the processional. In the event of rain, faculty are to proceed directly to the Edmunds Center, southeast side of the lobby. The platform party will meet in the Hall of Fame room on the second floor of Edmunds Center.

Staff members should plan to arrive at the Edmunds Center at 4:30 p.m. Ushers will be available to direct you to section three, which will be reserved for staff.

Students should gather at the Edmunds Center at 4:30 and sit with their graduating class designated by the gonfalons. First year students will be directed to floor seating while all other students will be directed to the upper level. For more information, visit Stetson.edu/convocation.

Convocation also will be live streamed on the Stetson Broadcast Productions channel on Ustream.tv.

Keynote speaker at Convocation will be Stetson alumnus and award-winning director and cinematographer Matt Katsolis. Founder of Interpret Studios, Katsolis creates inventive and diverse films, commercials, television shows and branded content. He made a name for himself by developing story-driven cinematic film and television in the action sports world.

The annual Community Dinner will immediately follow Convocation in the Hollis Center at 6:00 p.m. All students, faculty, staff and their families are invited to attend. For more information, visit Stetson.edu/convocation.