At 9 a.m. Saturday, New Student Convocation will take place under the oaks.

Chaplain McBride will open with an invocation and then faculty member Polly Cornelius will lead the national anthem. Student Government Association president Robert Saunders will then deliver his own welcome to new students.

Vice President and Dean of Student Life Smith Jackson will then introduce some of the incoming students by describing their accomplishments.

President Leo Lambert will deliver a welcome to students and parents, including advice about what to expect from Elon and its campus and facilities, as well as an overview of traditions and customs on campus.

Lee McAllister, an Elon student parent will then address the new students and their parents.

To close the ceremony Polly Cornelius will teach the Alma Mater to all in attendance.

“It’s a very local kind of program,” said Patti Gross, assistant to the dean of Cultural and Special Programs.

At the end of the ceremony, the new students will file out through two lines of faculty members and receive their traditional acorns.

Some students try to keep their acorns throughout their time at Elon, until the day of their commencement when every student receives an oak sapling.

Students often wonder where these acorns come from.

“It’s not important where the acorns come from, they’re just a symbol, a nice welcoming touch and a connection with the sapling at commencement,” Gross said. “It’s a lovely illustration.”

News Editor: Kaitlin Ugolik - 08/24/07