AUK Holds Annual Convocation Ceremony

The Office of Student Life at the American University of Kuwait (AUK) held a Convocation Ceremony for the Class of 2013 on Wednesday September 30th, as part of AUK's Annual Orientation and Welcome Week festivities to greet new and returning students to campus. As the counterpart to graduation, it serves as a rite of passage, entering into the great community of AUK. 

The ceremony hosted a number of keynote addresses regarding AUK's Motto Learn.Think.Become. These keynote addresses were given by AUK President Marina Tolmacheva, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences Dr. Nizar Hamzeh, and Dean of Student Affairs, Dr. Carol Ross. In addition, members of the Dean's Council and Faculty and SGA President were part of the ceremony and each represented and described key components and symbols representative of AUK including, the AUK Seal, Logo, Mascot, and Colors. The AUK Seal, as the significant symbol of the University, was described in even more detail reviewing all four major components of the Circle of Life including a Book, the Dhow, a Falcon, and the Torch. The ceremony concluded with the representation of the Torch, which stands for freedom and the passing of the light of knowledge and wisdom from one generation to the next, and a candle lighting ceremony was held with AUK's First Year students participating.

The Convocation Ceremony served as the pinnacle event for the Annual Orientation and Welcome Week Festivities mainly catering First Year students. During this week, many events were put on to welcome all students to campus including a Welcome Back Barbeque and a Get Involved Fair. In addition, specific events were held to help First Year students get familiar with their surroundings including Convocation, "Meet Your Professor" Reception, Class Photo, and an off-campus event. This program promotes the unity of the AUK community and helps students in their transition into University life at AUK.
 

Dr. Marina Tolmacheva, the AUK President presents the AUK motto Learn.Think.Become.
  

Members of the Dean's Council and Division heads
 

New students who attended the ceremony
 

Dr. Nizar Hamzeh Dean of College of Arts & Sciences
 

Dr. Carol Ross Dean of Student Affairs
 

Abdullah Al-Sharrad, SGA President presents the AUK color and the AUK mascot
 

Dr. Rawda Awwad, assistant Dean for Accreditation & curriculum presents the Circle of life in the AUK seal
 

Dr. Craig loomis, Head Division - Humanities and Arts presents the book in the AUK seal
 

Dr. Shoma Munshi, Head Division - Social Sciences presents the dhow in the AUK seal
 

Dr. Shareef Abu Al Maati, Head Division - Sciences & Engineering presents the falcon in the AUK seal
 

Dr. Mohsen Bagnied, Head Division - Business & Economics presents the torch in the AUK seal
 

Dr. John Russell Associate Dean for Administration presents the candle lighting ceremony
 

Images from the the Candle lighting ceremony
 

The reception that followed the ceremony