The University of Chicago

At UChicago’s 540th Convocation, the Class of 2026 was challenged to embrace uncertainty, lead with purpose and use their education to make a meaningful impact on the world. Take a look at some memorable quotes from the day.

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Congratulations to the Class of 2026!

Convocation cAlert: operations are resuming as normal. The ceremony grounds are now open.

Convocation cAlert: Due to lightning in the area and in consideration of the safety of our guests, entrances to the University-wide Convocation ceremony will not open until 8 a.m.

Scenes from Class Day

Today the UChicago College celebrated graduates at Class Day, kicking off Convocation weekend with student speeches, awards and a keynote address from Tony- and Pulitzer-winning playwright David Auburn, AB'91.

"Uncertainty is and will be a constant for all of us," Auburn told the Class of 2026. "It's not something to try and avoid. It may be something to actively embrace."

Learn more about the ceremony and the graduates who helped mark the occasion: http://ms.spr.ly/6185veGnf

UChicago will award honorary degrees to economic and legal scholar Louis Kaplow and archaeologist Greg Woolf during the June 6 Convocation celebration.

Learn more about their scholarly work:

Two scholars to receive honorary degrees at UChicago’s 2026 Convocation University of Chicago will award honorary degrees to two distinguished scholars on June 6 during its Convocation celebration of the Class of 2026.

Hear from members of the Class of 2026 as they reflect on the people and opportunities that enriched their intellectual journeys—and how UChicago helped shape their futures.

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Class of 2026 looks back on the journeys to Convocation Across UChicago, graduating students built a campus space program, logged hundreds of hours of pro bono legal service and much more

What can history tell us about the state of democracy? The Class of 2026 will find out from one of the country's leading constitutional minds when renowned legal historian Prof. Alison LaCroix takes the Convocation stage June 6.

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UChicago's Convocation weekend is nearly here. Learn more about the many celebrations honoring the Class of 2026, including Saturday's campus-wide ceremony on the Main Quadrangles:

Convocation activities to celebrate UChicago’s Class of 2026 Class Day, University-wide ceremonies to be held June 5-6

UChicago College fourth-year students Matteo Caloia, Ana Emilia Davalos and Vincent Li will address their fellow graduates alongside keynote speaker and playwright David Auburn, AB’91, at Friday’s Class Day ceremony.

Learn more about the speakers and how to watch: http://ms.spr.ly/6181vbCZ1

A new breakthrough by UChicago chemists shows how to easily customize molecules by swapping carbon-oxygen pairs for nitrogen atoms. This could fast-track the time it takes to develop new medicines.

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UChicago chemists invent new way to swap nitrogen into molecules Breakthrough could speed up new drug discovery

With Convocation this Saturday, we're looking back at the event through the years. Here's to a tradition that continues to bring the UChicago community together!

"Chicago Minds" aims to broaden financial support for UChicago students, attract exceptional scholars and renew historic campus spaces. President Paul Alivisatos discusses the goals of the University's ambitious new campaign.

Your Sunday Read:

UChicago launches multibillion-dollar fundraising effort The university looks to upsize from a previous capital campaign that raised $5.4 billion.

Congratulations to Daniel Kind, recipient of the 2026 Hugo F. Sonnenschein Medal of Excellence. The award is the highest honor bestowed upon a UChicago undergraduate, in recognition of the same qualities of its namesake: unwavering hope, ambition for others and an abiding courage of conviction.

A fourth-year student in the College, Daniel helped found the Orlando Secure Housing Project in honor of a childhood friend who died while experiencing housing insecurity. The organization works to provide mutual aid, raise awareness, and advocate for policy changes and increased funding for homelessness services.

Learn more about Daniel’s journey and what this award represents: http://ms.spr.ly/6184vZ2An

AI music is flooding streaming platforms—accounting for about half of all new song uploads. To help unmask hard-to-detect AI songs, UChicago computer scientists have developed Quicksilver, a new browser extension aimed at promoting transparency in the music industry.

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Is that song AI-generated? UChicago scientists create tool to check ‘Quicksilver’ browser extension intended to champion transparency and ethics

UChicago has dedicated the Lorraine and Yuji Suzuki Center as its first building wholly devoted to data science and AI. With a name that honors the Suzukis, who met as students at UChicago and wed at Bond Chapel, the center is the new home of the Data Science Institute—uniting statistical inquiry, global impact and a commitment to thinking with and about machines.

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UChicago dedicates data science and AI building in honor of alumni supporters The Lorraine and Yuji Suzuki Center is the new home of the Data Science Institute

A quiet walk through some of the most beautiful spots on campus.

📸 Jason Smith

Quantum technology is poised to transform our world, and UChicago is helping shape our quantum future.

The Big Brains podcast recently hosted a panel discussion with 1440 in which UChicago scientists and engineers explored how quantum could impact fields ranging from medicine to computing to cybersecurity: http://ms.spr.ly/6184vZHjI

Quantum technology, explained: A Big Brains live event UChicago scientists demystify quantum, separate hype from reality, and explore potential applications—from cybersecurity to medical sensors to computers

When video games become primary texts, UChicago students uncover meaning and symbolism hidden in pixels. “Gaming the Gods,” a unique Divinity School course organized with the Year of Games, explores belief, ritual and storytelling through games like "Halo" and "Cult of the Lamb."

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