Today's Messages

Buffalo State University's annual First-Year Convocation ceremony will be held on Friday, August 28, at 11:00 a.m. in the Performing Arts Center at Rockwell Hall as part of students' final day of Welcome Week. Visit First-Year Convocation 2026 for a complete listing of the daylong events and more information.

First-Year Convocation is one of Buffalo State's longest-standing traditions, and your presence as a volunteer helps make it meaningful. This ceremony welcomes our newest Bengals into their academic purpose, fosters a genuine sense of belonging in our community, and invites them to explore the value of a college education. Faculty and staff volunteers play a direct role in making the experience welcoming and well-organized.

Your help is needed to staff our volunteer shifts. Here is how you can participate.

Volunteer Shift Options:

• Full Convocation Shift: 9:30 a.m. to 2:20 p.m.
• Morning and Transition Shift: 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Ushering and seating students in the PAC, then staying on to help move students from the ceremony through the Tunnel of Applause and out to their academic departments in the Hank Mann Quad. Additional volunteers will be stationed in the Quad and around the PAC to help direct any students who need extra assistance finding their department. This shift covers the full department-by-department dismissal—volunteers are needed until all departments have connected with their faculty.
• Lunch Connection Shift: 12:30 to 2:20 p.m. (Greatest need) Volunteers arrive at 12:30 p.m. and go to their assigned department meeting location. When faculty dismiss students at 1:15 p.m., volunteers guide that group to lunch in the Bengal Kitchen and mingle with students during the meal. (If you'd like to eat during this time, lunch is on your own—or feel free to just mingle with students.)

Please complete the 2026 FYC Volunteer Registration Form by Monday, August 10. Questions may be directed to Judith Harris, chair of the Volunteer Subcommittee.

We look forward to your participation in welcoming our new students!