Kalamazoo College marks the beginning of the 2013-14 academic year with its annual Convocation on the campus Quad, Wednesday, Sept. 11, at 3:00 p.m. Free and open to the public, this colorful ceremony serves as a formal induction into the K community for the incoming Class of 2017 and includes a musical fanfare, faculty processional, welcoming remarks, and an international flag ceremony.

Under sunny skies (or in Anderson Athletic Facility in the event of rain), 457 first-year students, 27 visiting international students, and 22 transfer students from other institutions will recite the “Ritual of Recognition for New Students” and receive their charge from President Eileen B. Wilson-Oyelaran.

Jody Clark ’80, vice president at Hannon Armstrong Sustainable Infrastructure Capital, will deliver the keynote address, which will be live-streamed for the first time. Visit www.kzoo.edu/convocation for live-stream details. A reception for attendees follows on the Upper Quad, behind Stetson Chapel.

New students will receive an extensive orientation through the College’s nationally recognized First-Year Experience, including a reading and talk by Vaddey Ratner, author of In the Shadow of the Banyan, the Summer Common Reading book new students.

The incoming Class of 2017 is one of the largest since the College was established 180 years ago (1833). Fifty-three percent are female, 47 percent male. Approximately 62 percent (284) come from Michigan, 31 percent (141) come from other U.S. states and territories, and seven percent (32) come from 13 other countries (Cambodia, Canada, China, South Korea, Colombia, France, Ghana, India, Jamaica, Myanmar, Nepal, Vietnam, and Zimbabwe).

Also, 187 K students are participating in study abroad this fall at 28 programs throughout Africa (20 students), Austral-Asia (45), Central and South America (26), and Europe (96).

The College’s overall enrollment for the academic year will be approximately 1,440.

Fall quarter classes at K begin Monday Sept. 16. The fall quarter ends Wed. Nov. 27.