An estimated 2,300 students of the University of Nevada, Reno’s Class of 2013 will be welcomed into the Wolf Pack during the 10th annual New Student Opening Ceremony, Saturday, Aug. 22 at Lawlor Events Center.

Students and their families will embark on their new academic journey together by joining fellow co-eds to recite the Nevada Oath, sing the “Mackay Song,” and listen to welcoming and motivational words of guest presenters. This year’s keynote speaker is David Ake, associate professor of music and dance and the 2009 F. Donald Tibbitts University Distinguished Teacher Award winner.

“The opening ceremony has become a very special ritual for freshman and for the staff and faculty at Nevada,” said Barbara King, coordinator in the University’s Student Advocacy Services. “It’s an exciting time and the beginning of what hopes to be a significant and memorable time in these students’ lives.”

The “Wolf Pack Welcome” events on Saturday begin with the Opening Ceremony at 9 a.m. at Lawlor. College Welcomes (individual college break-out sessions) begin at 10:30 a.m. at various locations around campus. At 11:30, the entering freshman will complete their first University assignment. They will discuss their assigned summer reading, Proof, a Pulitzer Prize-winning play, with faculty discussion leaders as part of the students’ Summer Scholars Book Program. The assignment encourages students to think critically about literature and to develop essential academic and social networks.

“This is the third year of the Summer Scholar Book Program and it seems that students are beginning to know about it from older peers and anticipate the book assignment and discussions,” said Paul Neill, director of the University’s Core Curriculum. “It’s intended to build esprit de corps and a sense of connection among incoming freshmen.”

New-student activities continue throughout the day with a welcome barbeque, a vendor fair and late-night programming at the Joe Crowley Student Union and Lombardi Recreation Center.

Residence halls open at 10 a.m. the day before, on Friday, Aug. 21, with the option for students to move in throughout the weekend.

More than 3,000 incoming freshman will attend the University this fall.