In a history-making move, the University of Virginia held Opening Convocation ceremonies Sunday for two classes: UVA’s newest Class of 2025, and the Class of 2024, who did not get to enjoy the traditional welcome last year because of COVID-19
First came Opening Convocation for the Class of 2024, who gathered on the Lawn Sunday at 1 p.m. as a slight, intermittent breeze mercifully blew in the 90-degree heat, accented by 49% humidity – relatively low for summertime in Virginia.
Robyn Hadley, UVA’s new vice president and chief student affairs officer and a first generation student, welcomed the crowd of nearly 4,000 students. “This is going to be a great year and I feel fortunate to share this adventure with you today,” she said. “We are here to celebrate you. You started at UVA in the middle of a pandemic. Although it was a year of many losses, you prevailed and learned resilience.”