Georgia Tech has long made it a tradition to welcome incoming students at New Student Convocation each fall. Now, the Institute is ushering in a new tradition of welcoming graduate students with their own event.

The inaugural Graduate Student Welcome will include a Graduate Convocation and the Graduate Student Picnic, sponsored by the Graduate Student Government Association. Both events will take place Wednesday, Aug. 29.

Graduate Student Welcome was conceived in part thanks to feedback from students through the campus culture action team of A Path Forward. The group wanted to provide more information to graduate students and make them feel welcome upon their arrival on campus.

“Graduate students have expressed that they want to feel more connected to the Tech community, and we're listening,” said Bonnie Ferri, vice provost for Graduate Education and Faculty Development. “The wonderful thing about this event is that it provides a much-needed opportunity to celebrate new students and spread the word about resources and support at the beginning of their studies at Tech.”

Graduate Convocation will take place from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. at McCamish Pavilion, followed by the picnic from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Tech Green. Families of graduate students are invited to attend.

Like New Student Convocation, Graduate Convocation will also feature a student speaker to address new Yellow Jackets. Graduate students are invited to apply to speak by Monday, July 9. Learn more about eligibility, speech requirements, and the selection process.

For more information about the event itself, visit specialevents.gatech.edu/graduate-student-welcome.