Freshmen got their first Lobo T-shirt Sunday at the Freshman Convocation Ceremony.
Senior Frank Hemingway showed off five of his T-shirts during his speech urging students to get involved at UNM.
Instructors wearing robes and graduation caps led the freshmen in a procession in Popejoy Hall, mimicking a graduation ceremony.
This year's 3,100-student freshman class is the largest to enter the University.
The ceremony was the first part of Freshman Family Day and held as a welcoming event for the entering freshman class.
"It was nervous to start, and the ceremony helped me feel comfortable," freshman Amanda Lujan said.
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To get the freshmen started off on the right foot, President Louis Caldera said UNM rolled out the red carpet and gave students words of advice.
Administrators urged students to take advantage of the opportunities available to them at the University.
Freshman Shannon Flynn said it was an excellent introduction to everything.
"It's a good way to get off to college right," he said.
UNM had a similar convocation ceremony last year. Caldera said because the event was held after the first day of classes, there was a low turnout.
Flynn said he felt welcomed by the event and thought it would be a good idea to keep it going next year.
Parent Johnelle Phelps said she wished UNM had done a convocation ceremony when she attended the University.
"It gets people excited," she said. "They made it really impressive."
Convocation ceremonies are common at other universities, and Caldera said he wants to instill the message of graduation in four years to this freshman class.
"I want to see more students stay on the track of graduation," Caldera said.
Professors and students were also honored for their achievements at the ceremony.
The ceremony was followed by a celebration at the Duck Pond, which featured music, free food, sumo wrestling and a movie on Johnson Field.
