Convocation

Convocation is the official academic welcome to the University for new students and their families.  Convocation includes speeches from a senior student and university leadership.

Families will receive a “Convocation kit” in the mail so they can participate in our university tradition from home as the ceremony is streamed on this webpage. The “Convocation kit” will include a pom pom, pennant, and recipe for gooey-butter cake so you can celebrate Convocation virtually on Saturday, August 28th at 7:00 PM CDT.

A time-honored tradition at WashU, Convocation is the official academic welcome to the university. Students will join the Chancellor, Provost, Deans, and Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs in Brookings Quad along with their classmates in the Class of 2025. Followed by Convocation, there will be a party on the East End of campus where we’ll serve gooey-butter cake, a St. Louis staple.

Convocation 2020

Watch Past Convocation Videos

• Convocation video from 2019
• Convocation video from 2018
• Convocation video from 2017
• Convocation video from 2016
• Convocation video from 2015
• Convocation video from 2014

Convocation videos from 2013:

• 2013 Convocation: Chancellor Mark Wrighton

• 2013 Convocation: Student Speaker, Reggie Gacad, Class of 2014

• 2013 Convocation: Faculty Speaker, Dean Richard Smith

Convocation videos from 2012:

• 2012 Convocation: Andreas Mitchell, Arts & Sciences, Class of 2013

• 2012 Convocation: Jen Smith, Dean, College of Arts & Sciences