Political Science faculty members joined NIU President John Peters and others in welcoming freshmen and transfer students at the annual Academic Convocation, which takes place each August before the start of fall classes.
This year’s theme was “Embrace the Community, Honor the Tradition.” The first Academic Convocation was held in 1996. But beginning three years ago, the University turned it into a major event with faculty attending in full regalia, entering the
President Peters told the students, “We have wonderful teachers who care about and nurture students. Your professors are among the top in their fields. They are committed to thinking ‘outside the box’ and outside the classroom through hands-on learning activities and service-learning projects…. Clearly I’m quite proud of this institution.”
After the Convocation, freshmen attended Friday Fest, an organizational expo with food, entertainment and more than 100 different campus groups, including those affiliated with and sponsored by the Political Science department.