Convocation

A University of Chicago convocation is unlike any other university’s conferring of degrees. Rather than a conclusion or a new beginning, convocation is a ritual assembly of our community to celebrate academic accomplishment while recognizing our continual search for knowledge.

Past convocations have featured a wide variety of speakers including Professor Janet Rowley, physicist Robert A. Millikan, and President Bill Clinton, but all share a common purpose: to foster academic inquiry, stir dialogue around pressing issues, and, above all, honor intellectual achievement in our community.

Since the University first celebrated its accomplishments under founding president William Rainey Harper in January 1893, more than 500 convocations have taken place, one at the end of each academic quarter. We look forward to including you in our longstanding tradition as we honor this quarter’s graduates.