{"id":6690,"date":"2026-07-23T19:35:31","date_gmt":"2026-07-23T19:35:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/experience.syracuse.edu\/new-students\/?page_id=6690"},"modified":"2026-08-11T12:47:00","modified_gmt":"2026-08-11T12:47:00","slug":"program","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/experience.syracuse.edu\/new-students\/orientation\/convocation\/program\/","title":{"rendered":"New Student Convocation\u00a0Program"},"content":{"rendered":"

\r\n As a special academic ceremony, New Student Convocation marks the opening of the University and the beginning of new students\u2019 careers at Syracuse University.\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n

\r\n

Event Details<\/h2>\r\n\r\n
\r\n
\r\n
\r\n
Date<\/dt>\r\n
Aug. 20, 2026<\/dd>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n
\r\n
Time<\/dt>\r\n
10 a.m.<\/dd>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n
\r\n
Location<\/dt>\r\n
JMA Wireless Dome<\/dd>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/dl>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\t

This event is required for all new students<\/strong>. Families and supporters are encouraged to attend in person or virtually. Additional programming is available for families and supporters until 5 p.m., at which time they are encouraged to leave campus.\r\n<\/p>\r\n<\/section>\r\n\r\n

\r\n

Convocation Ceremony<\/h2>\r\n\r\n
\r\n
\r\n

Prelude<\/h3>\r\n

Syracuse University Marching Band
Timothy W. Diem
Conductor<\/em><\/p>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n

\r\n

Student Entrance<\/h3>\r\n

School and College Marshals<\/p>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n

\r\n

Academic Procession<\/h3>\r\n

Deans, Chancellor\u2019s Executive Team, Faculty and Chancellor\u2019s Platform Party<\/p>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n

\r\n

Mace Ceremony<\/h3>\r\n

Sam Clemence
Laura J. and L. Douglas Meredith Professor Emeritus and Mace Bearer<\/em><\/p>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n

\r\n

Presentation of Colors<\/h3>\r\n

Army and Air Force ROTC Cadets<\/p>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\t \r\n\t

\r\n

National Anthem<\/h3>\r\n\t
\r\n

Caroline M. Williams \u201928
College of Visual and Performing Arts and School of Education<\/em><\/p>\r\n\t

Sean M. Alvaro \u201927
College of Visual and Performing Arts and School of Education<\/em><\/p>\r\n\t <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n

\r\n

Ceremonial Opening<\/h3>\r\n

Tadodaho Sidney Hill
Haudenosaunee Confederacy<\/em><\/p>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n

\r\n

Invocation<\/h3>\r\n

Rev. Corey S. MacPherson
Dean of Hendricks Chapel<\/em><\/p>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n

\r\n

Welcome and Introduction<\/h3>\r\n

Allen Groves
Senior Vice President and Chief Student Experience Officer<\/em><\/p>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n

\r\n

Chancellor\u2019s Address<\/h3>\r\n

J. Michael Haynie
Chancellor and President<\/em><\/p>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n

\r\n

Greetings<\/h3>\r\n
\r\n

Lois Agnew
Vice Chancellor, Provost and Chief Academic Officer<\/em><\/p>\r\n

Elyas Amar Layachi \u201927
Student Speaker<\/em><\/p>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n

\r\n

Presentation of New Students<\/h3>\r\n

Dennis Nicholson
Dean of Admissions<\/em><\/p>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n

\r\n

Chancellor\u2019s Charge<\/h3>\r\n

J. Michael Haynie
Chancellor and President<\/em><\/p>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n

\r\n

Acceptance of the Chancellor\u2019s Charge<\/h3>\r\n

Emily Castillo-Melean \u201928
President, Student Government Association<\/em><\/p>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n

\r\n

Alma Mater<\/h3>\r\n
\r\n

Caroline M. Williams \u201928
College of Visual and Performing Arts and School of Education<\/em><\/p>\r\n

Sean M. Alvaro \u201927
College of Visual and Performing Arts and School of Education<\/em><\/p>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n

\r\n\t

Recessional<\/h3>\r\n\t\t

Syracuse University Marching Band
Timothy W. Diem
Conductor<\/em><\/p>\r\n\t <\/div>\r\n

\r\n

Brunch in the JMA Wireless Dome<\/h3>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/section>\r\n\r\n
\r\n

Chancellor\u2019s Charge and Alma Mater<\/h2>\r\n\r\n
\r\n
\r\n

Chancellor\u2019s Academic Charge to New Students<\/h3>\r\n\r\n

\r\n Traditionally, each new class is presented with a charge as it begins its academic career at Syracuse University. Today\u2019s charge will be delivered by Chancellor J. Michael Haynie. All members of the incoming class will accept the Chancellor\u2019s charge in unison by saying:\r\n <\/p>\r\n\r\n

\r\n We hereby accept your charge to work hard,
\r\n thrive and seek knowledge without end.\r\n <\/blockquote>\r\n <\/article>\r\n\r\n
\r\n

Alma Mater<\/h3>\r\n\r\n

\r\n Junius W. Stevens, a graduate of the Class of 1895, wrote the song that became Syracuse University\u2019s Alma Mater. For generations it has been sung at Commencement, Convocation, University events, athletic contests and wherever Syracuse University alumni gather across the globe. Traditionally, Syracuse University students join arm in arm and sway while singing the Alma Mater.\r\n <\/p>\r\n\r\n

\r\n Where the vale of Onondaga
\r\n Meets the eastern sky
\r\n Proudly stands our Alma Mater
\r\n On her hilltop high.
\r\n Flag we Love! Orange! Float for aye,
\r\n Old Syracuse, o\u2019er thee.
\r\n Loyal be thy sons and daughters
\r\n To thy memory.\r\n <\/blockquote>\r\n <\/article>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/section>\r\n\r\n
\r\n

History<\/h2>\r\n\r\n
\r\n
\r\n

Syracuse University<\/h3>\r\n\r\n

\r\n Since its founding in 1870, Syracuse University has brought together academic excellence and entrepreneurial spirit to effect far-reaching change. From establishing the nation\u2019s first degree-granting college of fine arts to creating one of the original schools of journalism, the University has long been a home for innovation and inclusion.\r\n <\/p>\r\n\r\n

\r\n In 1946, Syracuse embraced the GI Bill, welcoming thousands of returning servicemen and servicewomen from World War II. Since that time, the University has built on this foundation with nationally recognized programs for veterans, their families and those who serve our country.\r\n <\/p>\r\n\r\n

\r\n The University\u2019s leadership in research and discovery attracts distinguished scholar-teachers and outstanding students from around the world who go on to join a proud alumni network recognized for distinction in virtually every human endeavor.\r\n <\/p>\r\n <\/article>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/section>\r\n\r\n

\r\n

Academic Ceremony and Traditions<\/h2>\r\n\r\n
\r\n
\r\n

University Seal<\/h3>\r\n\r\n

\r\n The wording on the Syracuse University seal is \u201cSuos Cultores Scientia Coronat.\u201d Translated from Latin, this means \u201cknowledge crowns those who seek her.\u201d The University\u2019s seal was adopted in 1871.\r\n <\/p>\r\n <\/article>\r\n\r\n

\r\n

Charter Mace<\/h3>\r\n\r\n

\r\n Regal and bold in appearance, the present Charter Mace has opened Syracuse University academic processions since the 1959 Commencement. The mace is an ancient symbol of authority, representing the University\u2019s mission and integrity. Made of sterling silver, it is 3.5 feet long with inlaid carnelian and lapis lazuli stones. It was commissioned by Gordon D. Hoople \u201949 to replace an unadorned wooden mace.\r\n <\/p>\r\n <\/article>\r\n\r\n

\r\n

Orange<\/h3>\r\n\r\n

\r\n The color orange has been synonymous with Syracuse University for more than 130 years. Orange was adopted as Syracuse University\u2019s official color in 1890. Prior to that time, the University\u2019s colors were first pink and pea green and then rose tint and azure. Members of the Class of 1890 successfully petitioned to make the change to orange, noting the former colors \u201cwere not suitable\u201d and no other American university had adopted orange alone as its color.\r\n <\/p>\r\n <\/article>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n

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