Now an annual tradition, the first Senior Convocation was held in 2000. After transitioning to independent graduation ceremonies for each of the four undergraduate schools, the University created Senior Convocation as a space for all graduating seniors to gather together with University faculty and staff. Traditionally, the Convocation ceremony has included a description of the graduating class by the Provost, the formal pinning of the alumni pin, the presentation of the senior class gift, and speeches of select graduating seniors.1
Through the years, key demographics of the graduating classes and student speakers have included the following:
2000:
Demographics of Class of 2000:
*not recorded
Student Speakers:
Ayanna Brooks (SFS ’00)
2001:
Demographics of Class of 2001:
643 disciplinary infractions
Student Speakers:
Ahin Thomas (COL ’01)
Liam Price (SFS ’01)
Meagan Baird (NHS ’01)2
2002:
Demographics of Class of 2002:
647 disciplinary infractions
Student Speakers:
Alison Eakle (COL ’02)
Brian Zunich (COL ’02)
Roger Gill (MSB ’02)3
2003:
Demographics of Class of 2003:
61 nations represented
Student Speakers:
Jamaal Young (SFS ’03)
Laura Wilkicki (MSB ’03)
Ted Bauer (COL ’03)4
2004:
Demographics of Class of 2004:
*not recorded
Student Speakers:
Jason Atwood (COL ’04)
David Sawyer (COL ’04)
Diego Quijano (SFS ’04)5
2005:
Demographics of Class of 2005:
49 states and 49 nations represented
Ages range from 19 to 63
Student Speakers:
Ben Cote (COL ’05)
Jennifer Howitt (SFS ’05)
2006:
Demographics of Class of 2006:
*not recorded
Student Speakers:
Sarah Wappett (COL ’06)
Mahar Bitar (SFS ’06)
2007:
Demographics of Class of 2007:
*not recorded
Student Speakers:
Arthur Chan (SFS ’07)
Greg Pope (COL ’07)6
2008:
Demographics of Class of 2008:
*not recorded
Student Speakers:
Alexander Bozmoski (COL ’08)
Theodore Svoronos (SFS ’08)7
2009:
Demographics of Class of 2009:
*not recorded
Student Speakers:
Amy Hang (COL ’09)
Theodore Svoronos (SFS-Q ’09)
2010:
Demographics of Class of 2010:
Participated in 350 performances
65 in leadership roles at the Center for Social Justice
46 entering Teach for America
Student Speakers:
Pamela Nwaoko (COL ’10)
Lukasz Swiderski (SFS ’10)8
2011:
Demographics of Class of 2011:
57 nations outside of the United States represented
6 Fulbright Scholars
52 entering Teach for America
Student Speakers:
Jacqueline DesJardin (COL ’11)
Loghman Fattahi (SFS ’11)9
2012:
Demographics of Class of 2012:
*not recorded
Student Speakers:
Luke Schoenfelder (COL ’12)
Rebecca Yang (SFS ’12)10
2013:
Demographics of Class of 2013:
*not recorded
Student Speakers:
Eric Mooring (COL ’13)
Joanna Foote (SFS ’13)
2014:
Demographics of Class of 2014:
49 states and 68 nations represented
11 Fulbright Scholars
Ages range from 20 to 66
Student Speakers:
Christian Holkeboer (SFS ’14)
Yongle Xue (COL ’14)
2015:
Demographics of Class of 2015:
*not recorded
Student Speakers:
Alexander O’Neill (COL ’15)
Citlalli Alvarez Almendariz (COL ’15)11
2016:
Demographics of Class of 2017:
48 states and 66 nations represented
15 Fulbright Scholars
Ages range from 20 to 47
Student Speakers:
Grace May (COL ’16)
Matthew Quallen (SFS ’16)
2017:
Demographics of Class of 2017:
50 states and 65 nations represented
8 Fulbright Scholars
Ages range from 20 to 66
Student Speakers:
James Pavur (SFS ’17)
Devika Ranjan (SFS ’17)
2018:
Demographics of Class of 2018:
50 states and 78 nations represented
19 Fulbright Scholars
Ages range from 20 to 81
Student Speakers:
Daniel Wassim (SFS ’18)
Christine Pedersen (SFS ’18)
2019:
Demographics of Class of 2019:
48 states and 69 nations represented
27 Fulbright Scholars
Ages range from 20 to 59
Student Speakers:
Amanda Scott (COL ’19)
Shakera Vaughan (COL ’19)
2020 & 2021: COVID-19 Pandemic barred traditional Senior Convocation ceremonies
- 1Heberle, Robert. “Seniors Gather for Convocation.” The Hoya. 20 May 2005.
- 2McDonald, Liz. “Senior Convocation Substitutes Unified Graduation Ceremony.” The Hoya. 25 May 2001.
- 3McGrath, Amanda. “Class of 2002 Gathers For Senior Convocation.” The Hoya. 17 May 2002.
- 4Timiraos, Nick. “Class of 2003 Gathers for Senior Convocation.” The Hoya. 16 May 2003.
- 5Timiraos, Nick. “Class of ‘04 Gathers for Convocation.” The Hoya. 21 May 2004.
- 6Hilson, James. “A Senior Send-Off.” The Hoya. 19 May 2007.
- 7Hong, Michele. “Class of 2008 Starts Saying Its Goodbyes to Hilltop.” The Hoya. 16 May 2008.
- 8Engshuber, Laura. “Farewell Begins at Convocation.” The Hoya. 21 May 2010.
- 9Shanahan, Carolyn. “Seniors Gather at Convocation.” The Hoya. 19 May 2011.
- 10“Senior Convocation Speakers Tell 2012 Class to Serve Others.” 17 May 2012.
- 11Wolfe, Ryan. “Seniors End College Career With Week, Gift.” The Hoya. 15 May 2015.
