The University will continue 125th anniversary activities today with its annual Convocation ceremony, starting at 2:30 p.m. in the EMU Ballroom.
Convocation is the ceremony that traditionally marks the beginning of the University’s academic school year. Janet Fratella, coordinator of the event, said the Convocation allows “faculty to reflect on their teaching, and staff to reflect on their work and the importance of the University.”
President Dave Frohnmayer will begin the event with a keynote address about the state of the University. A series of four lectures will begin at 4 p.m., and they will discuss the state of the world and the University at its founding in 1876, and how the University has changed through the years. At 5:15 p.m., the University will premiere the video “A History of the University of Oregon: The Founding.”
Although Convocation traditionally marks the beginning of an academic school year, the University typically holds it halfway through the first term to allow the school of music time to practice pieces for the convocation, according to Fratella.
The Oregon Brass Quintet, University Brass Choir and University Singers will perform several traditional selections as well as “Fanfare for the New Millenium,” a piece specially composed for the Convocation by University alumnus Bernard Scherr.