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St. John's College Welcomes Freshman Class
The 2009-10 academic year for St. John's College opens on Wednesday, August 26, at 4:15 p.m. with Convocation, the annual ceremony that brings together the St. John's community for a new year. At St. John's convocation is rich with traditions that symbolize what it means to be part of this community of learners—a community where all students read the same great works of Western civilization and take part in discussion—based seminars.
This year, Annapolis welcomes an estimated 140 freshmen. After the academic procession to Francis Scott Key auditorium, each freshman is called on the stage to meet President Christopher Nelson, then sign his or her name in the college's Register.
The Annapolis undergraduate enrollment is expected to be 465 at the start of this year. In addition, 75 students are expected to begin or continue their studies in the college's Graduate Institute.
Highlights of opening week include the Waltz Party at 10:30 p.m. Wednesday, August 26; Dean's Lecture, at 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 28; an all-college activities fair, soccer game, and picnic on Saturday, Aug. 29; and an all-college soccer game and picnic on Sunday, Aug. 30.
Schedule for Opening Week in Annapolis:
August 25
8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Registration for sophomores, juniors, and seniors
9 a.m. Dormitories open for sophomores, juniors, and seniors
August 26
9 a.m. Dorms open for Freshmen
8:30 a.m. to noon Registration for freshmen only
11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Lunch for freshmen and their parents, Randall Dining Hall
12:45 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. Lunch for Upperclassmen, Randall Dining Hall
1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Meeting of Parents only with President, Dean, Assistant Dean, and other college officials, FSK Auditorium
1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Registration for Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors, FSK Lobby
2:45 p.m. Convocation Rehearsal for all Freshmen, FSK Auditorium
4 p.m. Freshmen gather for robing and line up for Convocation
4:15 p.m. Convocation, FSK Auditorium, 5:15 p.m. to 6:15 p.m., followed by refreshments for parents, freshmen, tutors of freshmen, and college officials
8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Meeting for freshmen with Instruction Committee
10:30 p.m. Student Waltz Party, Great Hall
August 27
8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Freshman and New Transfer Student Orientation, Conversation
8 p.m. Undergraduate Classes Begin with Seminar
August 28
9 a.m. Tutorials and Laboratories begin
3:45 p.m. Each Freshman Hall Meets With Its Resident Assistants
4:45 p.m. Meeting for Freshmen with Director of Athletics
8:15 p.m. Dean's Lecture, FSK Auditorium, followed by Question Period in the Conversation Room
August 29
1:30 p.m. All-College Fair, Back Campus/Quad
3:30 p.m. All-College Soccer Game, followed by All-College Picnic