Panthers’ F1RST NIGHT to kick off school year in Pitbull Stadium

FIU’s first major event in the newly renamed Pitbull Stadium will be an unforgettable kickoff to an exciting year: Panthers’ F1RST NIGHT. On the first day of class on August 26, thousands of students, faculty, staff, alumni and families will storm the field to enjoy food, live entertainment, giveaways and a warm welcome from university leadership.

F1RST NIGHT launched two years ago and has already grown to be one of FIU's largest traditions, welcoming more than 7,000 students in 2023. The event’s goal is to set students off on the right foot each Fall by engaging them with dozens of organizations and programs across the university so they can learn how to get involved in FIU’s vibrant campus life.

This year, for the first time, the university is combining the event with its annual Panther Convocation, FIU’s official induction of new Panthers to the college journey. Freshmen and newly matriculated transfer students will have a special opportunity to hear from President Kenneth Jessell, Provost Elizabeth Bejar, and other university leadership, who are eager to welcome the newest class to campus.

In years past, Panther Convocation was hosted in the Ocean Bank Convocation Center, which received a special makeover each August to transform into a formal ceremony befitting the pomp and circumstance of commencing a college education.

As the university continues to rise through the rankings, catapulting it to the national stage, interest in attending FIU has skyrocketed. The university has accepted more than 10,000 new freshmen and transfer students between Summer and Fall 2024 semesters, putting Convocation well over the capacity of its previous venue.

So Panther Convocation has been completely reimagined. Now, new students will not only be greeted by FIU’s top dignitaries, but a crowd of seasoned Panthers who are ready to show them the ropes. This high-energy event is the perfect opportunity for students to make new friends and explore all the ways they can integrate into the FIU community.

“With so many new Panthers entering FIU this academic year, our Convocation event has outgrown its old home. So, what better way to celebrate their arrival than a welcome from the entire FIU community in our newly renamed stadium?” said Charlie Andrews, Interim Vice President for Student Affairs, which collaborates with multiple university partners to host Panthers' F1RST NIGHT. “We’re looking forward to welcoming them along with all our returning Panthers!”

This event is free and open to all students. Parents and families are welcome to attend as well as faculty and staff. Registration online is required for all.

Freshmen and new, incoming transfer students are strongly encouraged to attend and are eligible to receive an exclusive FIU hat with registration, courtesy of Student Government Association. This giveaway is available for pickup in the SGA offices (GC 230 at MMC and WUC 353 at BBC) now through August 30. Students must show proof of event registration and their FIU One Card at pickup.

Panthers’ F1RST NIGHT is just one of more than 30 events taking place during the Fall 2024 Week of Welcome. Check out the entire lineup online: opportunities for food, Panther swag giveaways, and fun are on the schedule all week long at MMC, BBC and I-75.