Opening Convocation – Convocations

Opening Convocation student section clapping

Students blow bubbles from the balcony at Opening Convocation 2022

Opening Convocation 2023 group gathering

The Opening Convocation for the 2024-25 academic year. Academic Procession. Salutatory from Schuyler Vogel ’07, College Chaplain. Greetings from Alison Byerly, President and Professor of English. Convocation address from Dean Phillips, the U.S. Representative for Minnesota’s Third Congressional District.

Opening Convocation Faculty and staff walking to Skinner Memorial Chapel

Opening Convocation 2023 Alison Byerly addressing the group

US Senator Amy Klobuchar appears on a large video screen at Opening Convocation 2022

Opening Convocation 2023 Student singing the school song

Faculty Process into Skinner Chapel at Opening Convocation 2022

The medieval pageantry that surrounds this event purposefully links this college to a thousand-year history of teaching and learning. But this event is even more fundamentally about the future, for in academe the new year starts in September, not January. And it is vitally important, at the start of each academic year, that we reaffirm and re-center ourselves in the core values and purposes of Carleton.

Monday, September 14, 2026

Carleton’s Opening Convocation is the first campus-wide event of a new academic year. It is a time of joy as we reassemble to engage in discovery and exploration. An important tradition, the Opening Convocation ceremony is intended both to affirm continuity with the past and to embrace new beginnings.

Shortened Class Schedule

Classes start on Monday, September 14 at 8:30 a.m. with a special schedule of slightly shortened classes for the day to accommodate Opening Convocation at 3:00 p.m.

Academic Procession

Opening Convocation will be preceded by our traditional Academic Procession, in which all faculty are encouraged to participate and academic dress is customarily worn. Administrative staff are welcome to join the procession. The Academic Procession assembles at 2:45 p.m. in front of Laird Hall. (In case of rain, further instructions will be provided)

Order of Academic Procession:

College Marshal Michael Hemesath
College President Alison R. Byerly and Governor Tim Walz
Provost Michelle Mattson & Dean of Students Carolyn Livingston
College Chaplain Schuyler Vogel ’07
Emeriti Faculty
Professors & Administrators

Opening Convocation Ceremony

The Opening Convocation ceremony program in Skinner Memorial Chapel on Monday, September 14 started at 3:00 p.m. This convocation is also presented as a virtual webinar. Please register in advance if you would like to attend via Zoom. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. The entire ceremony will be recorded and archived on the Convocations website. Additionally, the program will be simulcasted in the satellite location Olin 149.

Garden Party at Nutting House

In celebration of the beginning of the academic year and to welcome new faculty and staff members to Carleton College, faculty, staff and retirees with their guests are invited to the Nutting House lawn for a reception following the Opening Convocation. (In case of rain, the event will be held in the Weitz Center for Creativity.)