Class Day is a College tradition, bringing together students, friends, and family on the day before Convocation. The celebration begins with a reception before a program featuring keynote speaker, student speakers and the presentation of College awards. Melina Hale, dean of the College, invites students and their family members to join this special occasion before attending the Dessert Reception at the Museum of Science and Industry.
Friday, June 6, 2025
Class Day
Class Day Reception | Noon to 1:30 p.m. | Bartlett Quadrangle | 57th Street and University Avenue
Light refreshments and non-alcoholic beverages will be served to our graduating students and their families.
Class Day Program | 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. | Main Quadrangle | 5801 South Ellis Avenue
Class Day Dessert Reception
7:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. | Museum of Science and Industry, 5700 South Lake Shore Drive
David Axelrod, AB'76
2025 Class Day speaker
David Axelrod is a preeminent American political strategist and commentator and the former chief strategist and senior advisor to President Barack Obama. Axelrod was the founding director of the University of Chicago's non-partisan Institute of Politics. He currently serves as a Distinguished Fellow at the University of Chicago, Professor of Practice at Arizona State University, and as a senior political commentator for CNN. He is the host of The Axe Files, a top-rated podcast featuring in depth conversations with public figures across the political spectrum. A former political writer for the Chicago Tribune, Axelrod produced media strategy and advertising for 150 campaigns across the U.S., culminating in President Obama’s historic elections. Axelrod is also the author of The New York Times best-selling memoir, Believer: My Forty Years in Politics.
For questions, please contact College Programming and Orientation at seniors@uchicago.edu.
