The Convocation ceremony serves as the official academic welcome to the new school year. At the August 31, 2021 ceremony, President Pines delivered the keynote address and students and faculty offered their remarks.


ceremony illustration

The program

Welcome Remarks
Executive Director Dr. Peter Mallios

Welcome classes of '24 and '25
Dr. William A. Cohen, Associate Provost and Dean for Undergraduate Studies

A Message from President Darryll J. Pines

Introduction of the Student Speaker
Dr. Traci Dula, Associate Director of the Honors College

Student Speaker Neha Shijo (ACES)

Introduction of Musicians
Dr. Jenny Lang, Associate Director of Admissions and Recruitment

Musical Interlude
School of Music Faculty Jazz Quintet

Keynote Address
Dr. Darryll Pines, President of University of Maryland

Closing Remarks

ceremony at chapel

Past events

past ceremony with students and stage in distance

aerial view of past ceremony with rows of students


"The University of Maryland Honors College is a truly extraordinary place—like nowhere else—where care, community, and support combine with the most extraordinary academic opportunities, melded to an ethic of justice and difference-making that will last you a lifetime."

- Dr. Peter Mallios