President’s Convocation and Matriculation

Evoking the pageantry and spectacle stemming from the earliest days of the academy in Western Civilization, this formal ceremony marks the beginning of the College’s 201st academic year​. The President’s Convocation and Matriculation Ceremony offers faculty, staff, and upper-year students the occasion to formally welcome new scholars into the community​ and surround them with Trinity’s history.

Faculty members in full regalia and first-year students will gather at the Fuller Arch at Northam Towers as music from Trinity’s famous 49-bell carillon beckons all on campus. Fanfares from the Quiet City Brass Quintet will accompany the faculty and student procession on the Main Quadrangle.

The highlight of this memorable occasion is Trinity College President Joanne Berger-Sweeney’s Convocation address. The ceremony also includes greetings from the faculty and the Student Government Association, an introduction to the remarkable Class of 2028 by the Dean of Admissions, and a special message about Trinity traditions from an alum of the College.

The oldest continuously observed tradition at Trinity, Matriculation is the symbolic act of enrolling at the College. During the ceremony, the dean of the faculty introduces the new students as candidates in arts and sciences worthy of admission to all of the rights and privileges of Trinity College. The president in turn presents the candidates to the secretary of the faculty, who administers the Oath of Matriculation, which reads:

“I promise to observe the statutes of Trinity College, to obey all its rules and regulations, and to discharge faithfully all scholastic duties required of me. I further promise to maintain and defend all of the rights, privileges, and immunities of the College, according to my station and degree in the same.”

After taking the Oath of Matriculation, a representative from the Class 0f 2028, transfer students, and  the individualized degree program, will sign the Matriculation Book, one of a long series of volumes preserved in the College’s archives since the founding of our college. All students who are admitted as degree candidates are required to subscribe to the Oath of Matriculation by signing their names in this book. Incoming students will have an opportunity to sign during New Student Orientation.

The ceremony concludes with the declaration of the opening of the College’s 201st academic year by the Dean of Faculty.

View the recording of the 2024 Convocation below.