Each fall, Convocation traditionally opens the academic year for first-year students and marks the conclusion of their Orientation Week. A professor provides the keynote address, and music faculty provide special music performances. The entire campus community is invited to attend. Video links of past speeches are below when available.
Convocation 2025 will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 26 at 11 a.m. in Bridges Hall of Music (Little Bridges). The keynote speaker this year will be Nina Karnovsky, Willard George Halstead Zoology Professor of Biology, introduced by Brent Carbajal, Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the College. Benjamin Keim, associate professor of Classics and Chair of the Faculty, will welcome our new students on behalf of the College, and Grace Zheng ’26, will greet them as ASPC president. Associate Professor of Music Melissa Givens and Haesung Park, organist, will provide special music for the event.
Past Convocations
2024
- G. Gabrielle Starr, Pomona College president
- Lise Abrams, Peter W. Stanley Chair of Linguistics and Cognitive Science
2023
- G. Gabrielle Starr, Pomona College president
- Timi Adelakun ’24, president of the Associated Students of Pomona College
- Oona Eisenstadt, Fred Krinsky Professor of Jewish Studies and professor of religious studies
2022
- G. Gabrielle Starr, Pomona College president
- Vera Berger ’23, president of the Associated Students of Pomona College
- Yuqing Melanie Wu, vice president for academic affairs and dean of the College
2021
- G. Gabrielle Starr, Pomona College president
- Nirali Devgan ’22, president of the Associated Students of Pomona College
- Miriam Merrill, director of athletics and professor of physical education
2020
- G. Gabrielle Starr, Pomona College president
- Payal Kachru ’21, ASPC president
- Philip Choi, Associate Professor of physics and astronomy
2019
- G. Gabrielle Starr, president of Pomona College
- Miguel Delgado-Garcia, president of the Associated Students of Pomona College
- Robert Gaines, interim vice president for academic affairs and dean of the college
2018
- G. Gabrielle Starr, president of Pomona College
- Alejandro Guerrero Vargas ’19, president of the Associated Students of Pomona College
- Susan McWilliams Barndt, professor of politics
2017
- G. Gabrielle Starr, president of Pomona College
- María José Vides Orellana ’18, president of the Associated Students of Pomona College
2016
- President David Oxtoby, president of Pomona College
- Audrey Bilger, vice president and dean of the College
- Christina Tong ’17, president of the Associated Students of Pomona College
2015
- President David Oxtoby, president of Pomona College
- Kenneth Baxter Wolf, John Sutton Miner professor of history and professor of classics
- Nicholas Kass '16, ASPC president
- William J. Peterson, Harry S. and Madge Rice Thatcher professor of music and college organist
2014
- President David Oxtoby
- Sidney J. Lemelle, Edwin F. and Martha Hahn professor of history and Africana studies
- ASPC President Rachel Jackson '15
- Professor Tom Flaherty, cello, and Cynthia Fogg, viola - "Meditation" by Tom Flaherty
- Professor William J. Peterson, college organist
- Photos may be found on Flickr (2014 Convocation).
2014 (Special Convocation for Princess Sirindhorn)
- Special Convocation: Princess Sirindhorn
- President David Oxtoby
- Bernard Chan ’88
- Professor of Politics John Seery
- Witisada Wattananimitgul ’16