2027 Honors Convocation
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42nd Annual Honors College Convocation
Wednesday, April 28th, 2027 | 2:00pm - 7:00pm (students), 3:00-7:00pm (attendees)
The Honors College Convocation is celebratory evening held in April where graduating students have the opportunity to show off their APEX project, receive their Honors certificate, and accept their gold stole for graduation. This event contains three parts:
- The APEX poster presentation, including a networking-only hour before public viewing,
- The senior banquet dinner with RSVP'd guests, and
- The awards ceremony when stoles and certificates are conferred.
Graduating scholars are allowed to invite a maximum of 2 guests to the banquet and need to RSVP on the guests' behalf. All are welcome to the poster presentations held 3:00-5:00pm without RSVP (note that there is a networking-only hour beforehand).
Further details are below and sent via email prior to the event.
Convocation Schedule
Convocation sessions will take place between the Marketplace and Woodland Commons. Location details are TBD and will be announced.
| Time | Event | Access |
|---|---|---|
| 2:00-3:00pm | APEX Poster Session: Professional Networking | Professionals only |
| 3:00-5:00pm | APEX Poster Session | Public (no RSVP) |
| 5:00-6:00pm | Senior Banquet | RSVP'd Students and guests |
| 6:00-7:00pm | Award Ceremony & Stoles Conferred | RSVP'd Students and guests |
Details by Session
APEX Poster Session
The first session is devoted to Honors College students presenting their APEX research and scholarship in an open-air poster presentation. Most presenters are graduating scholars, though juniors who have finished their APEX work may present as well (this does not extend to the banquet and ceremony). Scholars must notify the Honors College whether they will be presenting or not- students who are presenting at another venue need to send an invitation to honors@umassd.edu for Honors staff to be in attendance.
The first hour of the poster presentations, 2:00-3:00pm, is for professional networking only. The presentations are then open to the public at 3:00pm.
Other information to note includes:
- Dress code is business/smart casual. This includes comfortable shoes for standing presenters.
- Students presenting should arrive at 1:30pm prompt.
- Posters can be printed for free by the Honors College with proper notice. Please see honors@umassd.edu emails and the APEX page for guidelines.
- Light refreshments will be served.
Senior Banquet
Held after poster presentations, the senior banquet is a plated dinner for graduating scholars and a maximum of 2 guests. Students need to RSVP (including menu choices) on the guests' behalf. Special requests for those with allergies will be noted. Only RSVP'd students and guests will receive seats to the banquet.
Those who do not plan to attend the banquet still need to RSVP for the Award Ceremony afterwards.
Award Ceremony
The final event of the evening, the Awards Ceremony includes conferral of various Honors College awards based on GPA, service, and mentorship. This is followed by graduating scholars receiving their Commonwealth Honors College certificate and gold stole to be worn at Commencement.
Questions?
For more information, please contact honors@umassd.edu. For professionals interested in attending the APEX Poster Session networking hour, please contact Dean Amy Shapiro at ashapiro@umassd.edu.