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“Look around you at the campus, at your peers, and take it all in,” said University of Vermont Student Government President Mahder Teferra ’25 at the opening of �պ�����’s Convocation on the evening of Sunday, August 25.

In front of Teferra, on the lawn of the university’s Andrew Harris Commons, nearly 3,000 new members of �պ�����’s Class of 2028 sat cross-legged on the grass, gathered as a group for the first time to celebrate the formal Convocation Ceremony, their official welcome to the �պ����� community.

 “It might not feel like it yet, Teferra said, “but this is your home – and at the end of the day, the most important thing is the community you will build with these folks”

Convocation had been officially convened a few minutes earlier by University Marshall and Faculty Senate President Thomas Borchert, wielding the University Mace donated by the Class of 1927.

�պ����� President Suresh Garimella next welcomed the students, a class whose members hail from 47 states and 28 countries.

“My fellow faculty, staff and university leaders are very pleased that each of you decided to bring your considerable talent and ambition to this university,” said Garimella, noting that the incoming class of students is among the best prepared and most diverse in the university’s history.

Garimella stressed the commitment �պ����� faculty and staff share to ensure the students’ success, and the sense of connection that exists between students across the campus.

“There are many here, including your peers in the classes ahead of you, who will help you meet the challenges ahead and seize the opportunities. They’ll also try to ensure you engage with all this place has to offer – that you lift one another up, that you expand your horizons, and that you have fun.”

Garimella, who later this fall will become president of the University of Arizona, noted the enduring effect that comes from being part of the �պ����� community.

“My time at �պ����� is coming to an end,” he said, “but my pride in this place – and in all of you – will continue on.”

The entire class, led by �պ����� administrators and faculty, then processed across campus, through cheering sidelines of students, alumni, and community members, to the University Green. There, as the sun slowly sank toward the horizon beyond Lake Champlain, they took part in the traditional Twilight Induction Ceremony, making them formal members of the �պ����� community.

“We ask you tonight to challenge each other, to look out for one another, and to respect each other,” said Provost Patricia Prelock. “You are all here for the same purpose – to earn a �պ����� degree.”

The Class of ’28 members then each lit their own candles and held them aloft while joining Prelock in a pledge to follow �պ�����’s Our Common Ground values of respect, integrity, innovation, openness, justice, and responsibility.

Then, candles still held high, the assembled group cheered for the first time: “We are �պ�����!”