The University of Texas at El Paso will officially welcome new students, faculty and staff at the Centennial New Miner Convocation at 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 24, at the Don Haskins Center.
Celebrated on the eve of the first day of the fall semester at UTEP, the annual event introduces first-time freshmen, new transfer students, entering graduate students, new faculty and staff, and their families to the University’s academic component, traditions and campus life.
The event will feature performances by the UTEP Miner Pep Band, the UTEP Pantastics steel drum ensemble and the UTEP cheerleaders. Videos also will be shown about upcoming UTEP events including Opera Bhutan on Saturday, Aug. 30, and Minerpalooza on Friday, Sept. 5.
“We want to highlight to all New Miners the amazing talent that is at UTEP and the wonderful opportunities they will have as UTEP Miners,” said Donna Ekal, Ph.D., associate provost for undergraduate studies at UTEP.
Before the ceremony, Miners will assemble at Memorial Gym where they will have the opportunity to meet other new Miners and get information about UTEP’s six colleges and the School of Nursing, the Study Abroad program and several student organizations.
They will then walk to the Don Haskins Center to be welcomed by UTEP President Diana Natalicio.
UTEP women’s basketball coach Keitha Adams also will be on hand to welcome the New Miners.
Individuals who plan to attend New Miner Convocation should be aware of planned road closures that may impact their travel time.
The Texas Department of Transportation plans to close a portion of Interstate 10 near UTEP from noon Sunday, Aug. 24, through 5 a.m. Monday, Aug. 25, as part of TxDOT’s Spur 1966 project. The closure could be postponed depending on the weather.
Drivers traveling eastbound are advised to exit I-10 at Executive Center Boulevard and continue to campus using Mesa Street. Westbound motorists should get off the freeway at the downtown Mesa off-ramp and travel north on Mesa.
The most convenient parking will be available in the lots north of the Don Haskins Center, such as the green R-3, R-4, and R-5 (Rudolph) lots. ADA parking will be available in the R-3 and R-4 lots adjacent to the Don Haskins Center with entrances from North Mesa Street and Sun Bowl Drive.
Drivers also should know that construction is scheduled near the Glory Road/Sun Bowl Drive roundabout on Sunday, so traffic will be limited to one lane in each direction in that construction zone.
For more information about New Miner Convocation or to RSVP, visit nmc.utep.edu.