CANTON — SUNY Canton officially will welcome approximately 800 first-year students and more than 200 new transfer students during Opening Convocation at 10 a.m. today in Chaney Dining Center.

Students living on campus moved in this weekend. Classes officially begin Tuesday.

"Following in our tradition, we'd like to welcome all new students into the college and into their respective academic schools," SUNY Canton President Joseph L. Kennedy said. "We are anticipating the largest class of first-year students in four years and potentially the largest overall enrollment in college history."

Among this year's incoming class are six Chinese students from the earthquake-ravaged city of Chengdu in the Sichuan Province, as well as students from 11 different countries and 20 states.

Opening Convocation is designed as an opportunity to convey to students the significance of their educational endeavor and the commitment of the university to support them. It also serves to help students bond with the community that will be their home for the duration of their education.