With a nod to the past and a firm embrace of the future, the University of Vermont celebrated the beginning of its 233rd year at its formal Convocation Ceremony, held on the Harris Commons and University Green on Sunday evening, August 27.

Convocation brought faculty, students, and staff from across the university together, and it focused particularly on welcoming the newest Catamounts, the incoming Class of 2027, to the UVM community.

Under a virtually cloudless sky, first-year students assembled on the Andrew Harris Commons, where they were welcomed by Faculty Marshall and UVM Faculty Senate President Thomas Borchert, who took to the dais, as the Marshall does at all formal university ceremonies, with the UVM mace. Borchert noted that this year marks an important milestone for the mace, as it was designed and gifted to the university by the class of 1927, the predecessors a century ago to this year’s incoming class.

UVM Student Government Association (SGA) President Olivia Eisenberg ’24 then welcomed the incoming class, noting the vital, formative nature of the university experience, where “we are challenged intellectually and socially, as we seek to learn more about who we are, who we want to become, and we search for our peers who will get us there.”

Eisenberg introduced UVM President Suresh Garimella, who welcomed all the new first-years, with a particular nod to Vermonters. “Let me say how pleased we are that you are the newest students in the university’s 233-year tradition of providing our state the best higher education experience possible,” he said.

Turning to the class as a whole, Garimella noted that “you are among the most talented new class of students in our history…. You’re the best prepared, in terms of academics, and you have greater diversity in your backgrounds and experiences, and in the states and countries from which you come, than any previous class…. Congratulations on all you’ve achieved and are bringing to our campus!”

Garimella pointed out to the new students the advising support network in place to guide their academic journey, and noted the range of internship, experiential learning, and venues for artistic expression UVM offers to expand their horizons in the course of their undergraduate years.

After a performance of the UVM Alma Mater by a group composed of members of UVM’s several a capella singing groups, the entire group of new students processed across campus to the University Green, cheered on by fellow UVM community members and the rhythms of the Burlington Taiko Drummers. At the Green, the crowd heard UVM Provost and Senior Vice President Patty Prelock, standing near a lit flame in the gathering twilight, as she spoke about the character of the UVM community, and the university’s Our Common Ground commitment.

“It is the magical combination of people and learning that will define your next years. And UVM’s Our Common Ground values are the foundation for your shared community experience. So the flame that you see next to me is a symbol of our community as one, burning bright on this campus.”

Then assembled first-year students lit and held aloft their own individual candles, as they joined in a communal pledge to the Our Common Ground values of respect, integrity, innovation, openness, justice, and responsibility. With that, the class was formally inducted into the UVM community. Their journey begun, the class members perhaps reflected on the words SGA President Eisenberg had spoken earlier in the evening, when she noted the words of John Dewey, formative American philosopher, educator, and UVM Class of 1879 graduate: “Arriving at one goal is the starting point to another.”