Invitation to department's awards ceremony - what does it mean?

Parents Forum
1

<p>Hello everyone, </p>

<p>Today in the mail, I received an invitation that reads like this:</p>

<p>"The x department at state u requests your presence at its Awards Ceremony. </p>

<p>Date, time, place</p>

<p>Please plan to attend!"</p>

<p>Now I’m a freshman and an only child, so my mom and I don’t really know what this means. I recently signed up to major in the department, but I just checked the information system and it hasn’t gone through yet. I have started to get involved in the department, though, and I’ve built a close rapport with my professor in the field, but I can’t think of any practical reasons for them to invite me. Do they ever just invite people who have taken classes in the department, even if they’re general education classes? </p>

<p>So, since I’m not on the department’s “mailing list” yet, my mom thinks I might be nominated for an award. Could that be possible even though I’ve only been exposed to 2 courses in the department? </p>

<p>And if I am nominated, my mom wonders if she’d be able to come as well? I go to a local u (though I live here), and I’ve received honors society invitations that encourage parents to come, but is this something different? </p>

<p>We’d really appreciate some input on this. We’re newbies! </p>

<p>Thank you very much.</p>

2

<p>Best answer will come from the department in question. Call or email them with your questions. Sometimes departments may give an award to the “top freshman student in general xyz (name of dept) general course”. Who knows- maybe you are up for an award you don’t know about. A departmental secretary may be able to let you know a reason or find out the reason for you- you might say you are confused and would like to know why you should attend.</p>

3

<p>They may just be trying to recruit you.</p>

4

<p>Another perspective…since this is the department of your major, just go to the awards ceremony. It will give you a chance to see some of the things others are being honored for. If you happen to be acknowledged, it can be a happy surprise.</p>