AUK Holds Annual Convocation Ceremony

As part of AUK's Annual Orientation and Welcome Week festivities, the Office of Student Life at AUK coordinated the annual University Convocation Ceremony for the Class of 2016. Convocation serves as a ceremonial rite of passage for new undergraduate students entering the AUK Community.

The ceremony introduced new students to key components and symbols representative of AUK including the AUK Motto Learn...Think...Become..., Seal, Logo, Mascot and Colors. The AUK Seal, the most significant symbol of the University, was described in detail reviewing all four major components of the Circle of Life including the Book-which represents liberal arts and dedication to knowledge; Dhow-historical Kuwait's aspiration, exploration and tradition; Falcon-representing vision, courage and leadership; and the Torch of Wisdom that represents the freedom to purse the big questions of life. The ceremony concluded with the Torch of Wisdom being passed from one generation to the next as symbolized in the candle lighting ceremony.

The Convocation Ceremony is the pinnacle event for the Annual Orientation and Welcome Week Festivities mainly catering to First Year students. During this week, many events were organized to welcome all students to campus including the Welcome Back Barbeque and Get Involved Fair. In addition, specific events were held to help First Year students get familiar with their surroundings. The Convocation ceremony in particular, is designed to promote community unity and help students in their transition to University life at AUK.

AUK President Dr. Winfred Thompson was in attendance, welcoming everyone to the event. Also in attendance, the Acting Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences Dr. Nizar Hamzeh and Vice President of Administrative and Student Affairs Dr. Carol Ross-Scott, Dr. Doug Munro, Dean of the College of Business and Economics as well as faculty, staff and students. AUK Alums Areej Ali-Bader, Noufa Al-Sabah, Fouz Al-Sabah and Omar Mehdi returned to participate in this year's convocation sharing their thought provoking views on the impact of the AUK motto Learn...Think...Become in their lives.

Released by the Office of Public Affairs on the 24th October 2012