Emmy-nominated actress Kat Graham, who starred in the hit CW television series “The Vampire Diaries,” is coming to Colorado State University as part of the weeklong Ram Welcome celebration.
Graham’s visit is just one of more than 40 scheduled events and activities during Ram Welcome, an orientation experience for new CSU students. The actress is speaking at Convocation on Friday, Aug. 18, at 10 a.m. in Moby Arena as part of the Thematic Year of Democracy campus initiative. Convocation — the ceremony that marks a student’s academic journey at CSU — also will feature remarks from CSU President Amy Parsons as well as administrative, academic and student leaders.
Ram Welcome 2023 schedule
Ram Welcome is made possible thanks to key university partnerships. This includes the Division of Student Affairs, Academic Affairs, University Marketing and Communications, University Advancement, CSU Facilities, Athletics and more.
Get the latest information on Ram Welcome by visiting otp.colostate.edu/ramwelcome.
Ram Welcome starts on Monday, Aug. 14, with student move-in days and kicks into full swing on Thursday, Aug. 17, with the Ram Welcome Carnival from 6-10:30 p.m. The carnival features games, snacks, carnival activities and music on the Intramural Fields near the Student Recreation Center. Ram Welcome concludes on Sunday, Aug. 20, before classes begin the following day.
In addition to Convocation and the Ram Welcome Carnival, the week includes student-favorite traditions such as Ramapalooza as well as the Rambunctious Pep Rally and CSU Photo.
Ramapalooza — set for Friday, Aug. 18 from 6-10 p.m. in the Lory Student Center — includes live musical performances, arcade games, crafts and more. The LSC celebration also features free snacks and prizes.
The Rambunctious Pep Rally and CSU Photo at Canvas Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 19, from 7:30-8:30 p.m. gives students the opportunity to learn about traditions and participate in the annual taking of the C-S-U class photo, which is prominently displayed in the Lory Student Center and social media.
Students also have the chance to hike to the iconic “A” painted on the foothills overlooking Fort Collins on Saturday, Aug. 19, from 9-10:30 a.m. The hike, organized by Outdoor Programs, Fort Collins Natural Areas and the CSU Alumni Association, gives students the opportunity to see a symbol of CSU history and pride since 1923.
Throughout the week, Ram Welcome will include movie screenings, information sessions and dining opportunities for students to connect with the campus. Ram Welcome also has specific programming for transfer students, adult learners and student veterans as well as international students.
Kat Graham at Convocation
Graham, was invited to speak to students at Convocation through a collaboration of numerous campus partners and initiates such as the Presidential Thematic Year of Democracy and the Office of Inclusive Excellence. She has more than 100 film and television credits to her name and has appeared on the covers of magazines such as Vogue, Rolling Stone and Cosmopolitan, among others.
Graham, who also is a singer, dancer,producer, advocate and activist is known for her diversity, inclusion and humanitarian efforts that focus on the refugee crisis and human rights. She is a United Nations Goodwill Ambassador for the Refugee Agency, as well as an Ambassador for Rotary International, a council member for GLAAD.
As part of her diversity, justice and inclusion efforts, her PSA for Black Lives Matter garnered her an Emmy nomination for best short.
