Before officially becoming a Thunderbird, new students walk from the America First Event Center to the Upper Quad during Freshmen Orientation, where they pass underneath the Carter Carillon. This is the official welcome to new students as they are surrounded by cheering faculty, staff, students, alumni and administration. New students walk east, which symbolizes the sunrise or start of a new chapter. They are asked not to walk beneath the tower again until graduation day.

All those cheering should arrive by 11:30 to support and welcome our new student class after they finish their induction ceremony. 

New students will come straight from induction to the bell tower for the tradition.