Convocation is the formal welcome for all students entering the UMass Lowell academic community. This year we will be welcoming the first-year students on Tuesday, Sept. 3 at 11 a.m. at the Tsongas Center.

Schedule of Events

Mascot Rowdy the River Hawk wearing a black gown and waving a UMass Lowell flag
  • Processional
  • Provost Joseph Hartman
  • Student Government President
  • Chancellor Julie Chen
  • Introduction of Deans
  • Induction of New Students
  • Keynote Speaker
  • DifferenceMaker
  • River Hawk Pride
  • Recessional to the Celebration & Engagement Fair

2024 Keynote Speaker: Vala Afshar

Vala Afshar

Vala Afshar is Chief Digital Evangelist at Salesforce, bestselling author, U.S. patent holding inventor, podcaster, columnist and keynote speaker. With over 1 million social media followers, Vala is recognized as a top business and innovation influencer.

Afshar is co-author of bestselling book "Boundless: A New Mindset for Unlimited Business Success." He has written over 700 major media articles and has interviews over 1,400 senior business executives, startup founders, venture capitalists and bestselling authors on his weekly podcast.

Prior to Salesforce, Afshar served as Vice President of Engineering, Chief Customer Officer and Chief Marketing Officer in the technology industry. Afshar is an electrical engineering graduate from UMass Lowell.