In-person Faculty Honors Convocation planned for April 1

The University will host three separate, in-person honors convocations this year for faculty and graduate and undergraduate students, instead of one big ceremony.

The first — a new Faculty Honors Convocation — will take place at 3 p.m. April 1 at Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum. A reception will immediately follow in Ballroom B of the University Club. The ceremony and reception are open to the public, and families and guests of the faculty being honored are welcome. No tickets are necessary, but people were asked to register by March 25. The event will also be live-streamed via YouTube. Find a link to the livestream and a list of honorees on the provost's website.  

The ceremony will to pay tribute to the outstanding achievements of 300 faculty members from various schools that characterize the quality of academic life at the University, according to an announcement from Pitt.

The awards that will be presented include the recently announced Chancellor’s Distinguished Awards in public service, teaching and research, along with special recognition for the COVID-19 Medical Response Office.

Others being honored include the winners of the Provost’s Award for Excellence in Doctoral Mentoring and the Provost’s Diversity in the Curriculum Award, along with distinguished faculty and endowed chairs and select faculty who have been awarded national and prestigious prizes.

Featured speakers include Chancellor Patrick Gallagher, Provost Ann Cudd, Senior Vice Chancellor of Health Sciences Anantha Shekhar, and Senior Vice Chancellor for Research Rob Rutenbar. 

“It is very exciting that we have the opportunity to re-envision Honors Convocation this year,” said Provost Cudd. “The opportunity to focus on the absolutely outstanding accomplishments of our faculty and students in this way really gives us time to share in their achievements and to celebrate them more fully.”

The Graduate Honors Convocation will be at 5 p.m. April 5 and the Senior Honors Convocation for undergraduates will take place at 5 p.m. April 29. These events are invitation only.