Opening Convocation Ceremony

Welcoming the newest class of OWU Bishops

Ohio Wesleyan will celebrate Opening Convocation to formally welcome the Class of 2029 on Thursday, August 14, 2025, from 4-5 p.m. outdoors on the Rock Quad.

OWU faculty and staff join incoming students, their parents, and families to formally celebrate new student arrival and kick off the academic year. Following the Opening Convocation Ceremony, students will carry their class banner and follow the Bishop on their "First Lap." The First Lap involves an informal march of the incoming class around the academic quad to the center of campus. Students will be clapped and celebrated through the welcome tunnel as they begin their first academic semester (and a welcome week packed with fun events and gatherings!)

Opening Convocation Ceremony and the First Lap, along with Commencement and the Final Lap, mark the first and the last time the class is celebrated as a whole. 

For the full list of events this day, visit Move-In Day Schedule for New Students. Scroll down to access the link to the live stream.

Opening Convocation FAQs

Student and Guest Accessibility Needs - To inquire about specific accessibility needs in order to participate or attend the Opening Convocation Ceremony, please email the Accessibility Services Office at aso@owu.edu.

Outdoor Accessibility/Seating - Seating for those in wheelchairs and walkers is available in the front row along the main walkway. Ushers will be available for assistance.

In the case of inclement weather: The ceremony will be held outdoors if it is lightly raining. Be prepared for the weather. In the event of heavy rain or lightning, the event will be held in Gray Chapel inside University Hall, and the First Lap will be rescheduled. If the event is held indoors, the ceremony will be streamed live in the atrium of Hamilton-Williams Campus Center in case Gray Chapel fills. 

Restrooms: Facilities are accessible in University Hall's lower level.

Admission to the Opening Convocation ceremony: Tickets are NOT required, and there is no guest limit for the ceremony.

Where students go following the ceremony: Immediately following the event is the First Lap for the Class of 2029, when students will be celebrated through the welcome tunnel on the JAYwalk. 

Where guests go following the ceremony: At the conclusion of the ceremony, guests are asked to remain in place while the faculty and staff recess from the stage to join the marching band. Ushers will direct the guests to follow them into position for the First Lap. Guests may stop on the Slocum walkway or cross Sandusky Street on the JAYwalk to clap and cheer as students and their soon-to-be best friends walk through the tunnel! 

Smoking areas adjacent to the ceremony: If the ceremony is outside, smoking is permitted only in the perimeter parking areas. Smoking is not allowed in the seating areas or inside buildings.

Hotels & overnight accommodations: Please visit the Delaware County Visitors Bureau for information about local accommodations and amenities.

Transportation to campus: The University is unable to provide airport shuttles for Opening Convocation. Please visit our Area Transportation page to learn about area transportation options and access links to Columbus airport transportation.