President Johnson Leads the Wellesley Community in Celebrating Convocation

Today is convocation, the first for President Paula Johnson and the College’s 142nd. Convocation marks the beginning of the new academic year and provides an opportunity for faculty, staff, and students to celebrate Wellesley’s commitment to academic excellence and to preparing young women for leadership roles. In honor of this important occasion, faculty wear their academic robes, and seniors dress—for the first time—in the robes they will wear at graduation in May.

The community will gather at the Davis Plaza at 3:30 pm for a reception, then proceed to Hay Amphitheater for convocation. The event will be streamed live beginning at 4:30 pm. 

For first-years, convocation means something else: the conclusion of orientation, which began last week and was captured in a series of photographs.

President Johnson and Student Orientation Coordinator Jenna Sjogren ’18 welcome students and parents to Severance Hall. Photo by Shawn Cooper
 

The Davis Museum, which is closed to the public for renovations, opened especially for members of the red class to participate in the time-honored tradition of completing a scavenger hunt that leads them through the entire museum.
 

Members of the Class of 2020 and their families meet with Wellesley College representatives and upperclass students at the Lulu to learn about life on campus, academic success, campus diversity, health and wellness, and resources for parents.
 

Supported by some of Wellesley's favorite Vil-vendors, students snacked on delicious treats and then danced the night away at Community Fest on Saturday night.
 

Wellesley’s Ultimate Frisbee team, the Wellesley Whiptails, hosted an afternoon Frisbee session for incoming students.
 

The Wellness Carnival introduced students to some of Wellesley's health and wellness resources. From  jumping on a bouncy castle to painting rocks, students participated in a variety of fun activities to get to know these important on-campus departments.

Students, faculty and staff process to Hay Amphitheatre for Wellesley’s 142nd Convocation. Upperclass students and faculty wear their Commencement regalia and underclass students are dressed in their class colors.

President Johnson delivered her first convocation speech. 

Welcome, everyone! We look forward to another remarkable year.