UMich Welcomes Record 115,000-Applicant Class at Convocation

University of Michigan

President Domenico Grasso positions incoming freshmen as global influencers, urging them to embrace rigorous debate and campus civic engagement.

AI-assisted summary of 2026 New Student Convocation — original source. Check the original for full context.

Source published: 2026-09-14

Key ideas

The University of Michigan evaluated an applicant pool of over 115,000 candidates for its fall 2026 incoming class, spanning all 50 states, U.S. territories, and numerous countries. (10:00)
Provost Laurie McCauley and student life leadership urged new students to lean into ideological diversity and civil disagreement beyond their comfort zones as an essential element of their education. (5:00)
President Domenico Grasso emphasized the institution's global stature, highlighting 110 top-10 nationally ranked academic programs and its Time Magazine rank as the ninth-best university in the world. (30:00)
University leadership called on incoming Wolverines to exercise their civic responsibilities by utilizing govote.umich.edu to register for the upcoming November election. (35:00)

Detailed notes

## Background Published by the University of Michigan on YouTube on September 14, 2026, this video documents the 2026 New Student Convocation ceremony held inside the Crisler Center on August 30, 2026. The video description provides event details and points viewers to an alternate version featuring audio description.

## TL;DR The ceremony officially welcomes the incoming cohort to the University of Michigan with addresses from academic leaders, student government, and university administration. Provost Laurie McCauley and Vice Provost Adele Brumfield congratulate the class—selected from over 115,000 applicants—while urging them to explore intellectual curiosity, lean into ideological diversity, and seek out support networks. Following an inspiring address by CSG President Shamik Patel and a musical interlude by a cappella ensemble Amazin' Blue, President Domenico Grasso challenges the students to embrace their role as Michigan influencers, engage civically, and immerse themselves in campus traditions before closing with traditional university anthems.

## Atmosphere & style The event exudes a spirited, uplifting, and communal atmosphere that balances solemn academic tradition with enthusiastic school pride. University administrators and student leaders adopt an encouraging, mentor-like tone, validating anxieties about imposter syndrome while rallying the arena with references to coach Jim Harbaugh, pop culture creators, and thunderous shouts of 'Go Blue!' The emotional arc travels from respectful institutional recognition to an electric, celebratory send-off underscored by lively a cappella vocals and fanfare band music.

## Bulletin - [10:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cT4Un_LCqyM&t=600s) The University of Michigan evaluated an applicant pool of over 115,000 candidates for its fall 2026 incoming class, spanning all 50 states, U.S. territories, and numerous countries. - [05:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cT4Un_LCqyM&t=300s) Provost Laurie McCauley and student life leadership urged new students to lean into ideological diversity and civil disagreement beyond their comfort zones as an essential element of their education. - [30:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cT4Un_LCqyM&t=1800s) President Domenico Grasso emphasized the institution's global stature, highlighting 110 top-10 nationally ranked academic programs and its Time Magazine rank as the ninth-best university in the world. - [35:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cT4Un_LCqyM&t=2100s) University leadership called on incoming Wolverines to exercise their civic responsibilities by utilizing govote.umich.edu to register for the upcoming November election.

## Key takeaways - [00:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cT4Un_LCqyM&t=0s) Senior Lily Hunwick performed the national anthem to open the 2026 New Student Convocation at Crisler Center. - [05:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cT4Un_LCqyM&t=300s) Provost Laurie McCauley delivered the university's formal land acknowledgment reaffirming the 1817 Treaty at the Foot of the Rapids with the Anishinaabe nations. - [05:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cT4Un_LCqyM&t=300s) McCauley advised incoming students to embrace curiosity within U-M's vast research ecosystem and actively lean into ideological diversity and debate. - [10:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cT4Un_LCqyM&t=600s) Vice Provost Adele Brumfield reported that the incoming class was chosen from more than 115,000 applicants for their creativity, intellectual curiosity, and leadership. - [15:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cT4Un_LCqyM&t=900s) Brumfield affirmed that every student belongs, sharing her own experience as a first-generation student and encouraging new arrivals to seek help without hesitation. - [15:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cT4Un_LCqyM&t=900s) Vice President for Student Life Martino Harmon reminded students that their learning across differences serves as a superpower to solve pressing global challenges. - [20:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cT4Un_LCqyM&t=1200s) Central Student Government President Shamik Patel outlined U-M's extensive legacy, from Nobel laureates and heads of state to vaccine innovators and athletic icons. - [25:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cT4Un_LCqyM&t=1500s) Patel urged peers to cultivate empathy and mutual respect, sharing his family ritual of meeting each day with 'enthusiasm unknown to humankind.' - [25:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cT4Un_LCqyM&t=1500s) Oldest co-ed a cappella group Amazin' Blue performed an arrangement of American Authors' 'Best Day of My Life' to welcome the class. - [30:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cT4Un_LCqyM&t=1800s) President Domenico Grasso called the students members of the world's ultimate influencers, highlighting U-M's 110 top-10 academic programs and elite national standing. - [30:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cT4Un_LCqyM&t=1800s) Grasso addressed imposter syndrome, encouraging students to actively visit faculty during office hours for transformational one-on-one mentorship. - [35:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cT4Un_LCqyM&t=2100s) Grasso spotlighted key campus cultural touchstones, including the Western Hemisphere's largest papyri collection, Maya Lin's Wave Field, and the Nichols Arboretum. - [35:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cT4Un_LCqyM&t=2100s) Students were directed to register and vote via govote.umich.edu before concluding the event with school traditions, 'The Victors,' and an orientation tailgate.

## Detailed walkthrough ### [00:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cT4Un_LCqyM&t=0s) Welcome and National Anthem

The 2026 New Student Convocation at the University of Michigan commences inside the Crisler Center. An opening speaker welcomes the incoming cohort on behalf of the faculty and invites everyone who is able to rise for the singing of the national anthem. Senior Lily Hunwick, from the School of Music, Theatre & Dance, performs "The Star-Spangled Banner."

Following the performance and applause, Dr. Laurie McCauley introduces herself. She serves as the Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, as well as a Professor of Periodontics in the School of Dentistry and Professor of Pathology in the Medical School. She welcomes the new students to Michigan, describing it as "the world's defining university dedicated to the public good," and leads an enthusiastic round of applause for Hunwick and the School of Music, Theatre & Dance musicians who provided the processional music.

[05:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cT4Un_LCqyM&t=300s) Land Acknowledgment and Provost McCauley’s Advice to New Wolverines

Provost McCauley introduces Professor Kentaro Toyama, the W.K. Kellogg Professor of Community Information, Professor of Information, and Chair of the Faculty Senate, who represents the faculty at the ceremony. She extends gratitude to the families, advisors, and mentors who supported the students on their journey, and notes that university executive officers and school deans seated on stage are identified on the arena screens. McCauley then delivers the university's formal land acknowledgment: the University of Michigan rests on the ancestral territory of the Anishinaabe people. In 1817, under the Treaty at the Foot of the Rapids (Treaty of Fort Meigs), the Ojibwe, Odawa, and Bodewadmi nations made the largest single land transfer to the institution so their descendants could receive an education—a foundational tie that the university reaffirms today.

Congratulating the students on earning their spot at one of the world's premier universities, McCauley jokes that they likely have no idea what a provost actually is. She clarifies that she oversees the entire academic apparatus—schools, colleges, faculty, and academic programs—spending her days obsessing over classes before the students ever set foot in them. Quoting current slang, she urges the incoming class to "keep that same energy" and presents two pieces of advice:

1. **Embrace curiosity and play within a colossal institution:** Michigan is immense, home to over 180 centers and institutes, quantum mechanics specialists, acoustic tumor ablation research, and solar-car racing teams. While students must summon their sharpest intellect when needed, they should otherwise relax, explore, and stay open to novelty. 2. **Lean into disagreement and ideological diversity:** The provost points out the undeniable reality that among the thousands of peers gathered in the arena, not a single one thinks exactly like another. Students will disagree deeply about politics, morality, culture, and life, and these differences form a vital pillar of their education.

```mermaid flowchart TD accTitle: Provost McCauley Advice Framework accDescr: Flowchart illustrating the two pillars of advice given by Provost Laurie McCauley to incoming students. subgraph S1["Campus Engagement"] A["Colossal Campus Environment"] --> B["Apply Intellect When Needed"] B --> C["Cultivate Curiosity & Play"] C --> D["Explore Arts, Athletics, & Research"] end subgraph S2["Intellectual Growth"] E["Diverse Student Body"] --> F["Encounter Differing Worldviews"] F --> G["Engage in Dialogue Past Comfort Zone"] G --> H["Build Tools for Lifelong Impact"] end ```

- Campus opportunities highlighted include visiting the University of Michigan Museum of Art (UMMA) to ask about monumental sculptures, rock climbing with friends, participating in inclusive wheelchair basketball, and securing free arts tickets through the University Musical Society (UMS) Bert's Ticket program. - Students are reminded of their participation in the orientation program "Talking Maize and Blue," with McCauley challenging them to stay in open dialogue with differing viewpoints "past the point of comfort."

[10:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cT4Un_LCqyM&t=600s) Adele Brumfield on Admissions, Community, and Belonging

Provost McCauley introduces Adele Brumfield, Vice Provost for Enrollment Management. Brumfield acknowledges the cross-campus teams—spanning Admissions, Financial Aid, the Registrar, the Office of New Student Programs, and university communications—who collaborated to assemble the incoming class. She congratulates the students on reaching this milestone through years of dedication, sacrifice, and resilience.

Brumfield reveals that for the fall 2026 class, the university evaluated over 115,000 applicants. She highlights that the admitted cohort was selected not solely for academic metrics, but for being bold, creative, and intellectually curious thinkers who demonstrate integrity and leadership potential. She urges students to maintain close contact with the support networks—parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, siblings, counselors, coaches, and teachers—who helped them achieve this milestone.

- **Fall 2026 Admissions Pool:** Exceeded 115,000 applicants. - **Geographic Representation:** Students hail from across the state of Michigan, all 50 U.S. states, U.S. territories, and numerous countries worldwide.

[15:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cT4Un_LCqyM&t=900s) Asking for Help, Alumni Network, and Introduction of Martino Harmon

Brumfield acknowledges the wide diversity of backgrounds in the audience: some are first-generation college students, some come from multi-generational Wolverine families, and others never envisioned living in Michigan. Recalling her own vulnerability as a first-generation college student decades earlier, Brumfield gives an emphatic assurance: "You belong. Each of you belongs here." She advises students to cast aside pride whenever obstacles arise and proactively seek support from professors, academic advisors, and mentors.

Looking ahead to graduation, Brumfield reminds the class that they will join an active global alumni network over 710,000 strong, armed with the responsibility to lead and innovate. She finishes with a rousing "Go Blue!" before turning the podium over to Dr. Martino Harmon, Vice President for Student Life.

Harmon welcomes the students to the Crisler Center, framing their arrival as the first chapter of a transformative personal journey. He tells the class that the knowledge they build across differences will serve as their superpower. Quoting the famous adage, he underscores that "with great power, comes great responsibility," noting that the university holds high expectations for how students will wield their knowledge to solve global challenges.

[20:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cT4Un_LCqyM&t=1200s) Responsibility, Curiosity, and Welcoming the Class

The opening speaker concludes their address by reminding incoming students that their unique perspectives, opinions, and dreams make the university a truly powerful institution. Emphasizing personal agency and accountability, the speaker charges each student with the daily duty of learning from peers whose backgrounds diverge from their own: "Be curious. Listen well and ask thoughtful questions. Mindfully step outside of your comfort zone." They remind the crowd that before long, their undergraduate journey will culminate next door at Michigan Stadium ("The Big House") for commencement, launching them into an expansive global alumni network committed to driving positive change worldwide.

Before introducing the student body president, the speaker takes a moment to acknowledge the campus teams who facilitated fall move-in and orientation programming: - Housing Resident Education and Housing staff - The Office of New Student Programs (ONSP) - The Center for Campus Involvement (CCI) - Michigan Dining - Hundreds of faculty and staff volunteers across campus

Central Student Government President Shamik Patel takes the podium to loud cheers, introducing himself and acknowledging the mix of excitement, nerves, and ambition filling the arena. He encourages students to mute their anxieties for just one day and absorb how far they have traveled to reach this point.

Patel details the monumental legacy into which each new Wolverine is stepping. By enrolling, students join a community connected to: - Hundreds of members of the U.S. Congress and three Supreme Court justices - World leaders, including presidents and prime ministers of Italy, Jordan, Pakistan, Madagascar, Costa Rica, and the United States - Trailblazing researchers who developed the flu and polio vaccines - 35 Pulitzer Prize winners and 10 Nobel laureates - Cultural and athletic icons such as Tom Brady, Michael Phelps, Madonna, and James Earl Jones

Patel implores students to take time during their opening week to walk through the Law Quad, sprawl out on the Diag grass, and "watch the squirrels fulfill their secret plan to conquer Ann Arbor." He urges everyone to recognize that their societal impact will extend beyond professional milestones to how warmly they treat their loved ones and peers, grounding their Michigan experience in the foundational principle that receiving respect requires offering it first.

---

[25:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cT4Un_LCqyM&t=1500s) Student Convocation Charge and Performance by Amazin' Blue

Reflecting on personal traditions, CSG President Shamik Patel shares a daily ritual from his childhood. Every morning before school, he and his father would park the car and recite a phrase popularized by iconic Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh: "Let's hit today with the kind of enthusiasm unknown to humankind!" Delivering that motto to the arena as a collective charge to launch their college careers, he closes with a resounding "Go Blue, baby!"

Following Patel's speech, the university's oldest co-ed a cappella ensemble, Amazin' Blue, takes the stage. The group performs a spirited vocal arrangement of American Authors' hit "Best Day of My Life":

```mermaid flowchart TD accTitle: Convocation Ceremony Progression accDescr: Sequential flow showing student welcome, musical interlude, and presidential address.

subgraph Stage1["Student Addresses"] A["Opening Closing Remarks & Staff Honors"] --> B["CSG President Address<br>(Shamik Patel)"] end

subgraph Stage2["Arts & Multimedia"] B --> C["Amazin' Blue Performance<br>('Best Day of My Life')"] C --> D["ONSP Campus Montage"] end

subgraph Stage3["University Welcome"] D --> E["16th President's Address<br>(Domenico Grasso)"] end ```

The singers open with soaring harmonies on the anthem's recognizable refrain: > *"I had a dream so big and loud, I jumped so high I touched the clouds... No, just don't wake me now. This is gonna be the best day of my life!"*

Midway through their performance, the group pauses their vocal beatboxing and melodic lines to shout directly to the stands: *"Welcome to the University of Michigan. We're Amazin' Blue, and get ready for the best four years of your life!"* before finishing out their driving arrangement to sustained applause.

---

[30:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cT4Un_LCqyM&t=1800s) President Domenico Grasso on University Excellence and the Power of Influence

Vice President for Student Life Martino Harmon returns to the podium to praise Amazin' Blue and thank the Office of New Student Programs for providing the introductory video montage. Harmon then formally presents the 16th president of the University of Michigan, Domenico Grasso.

President Grasso opens by affirming that calling Michigan "the greatest university in the world" is genuine fact rather than empty school spirit. He points out that during the upcoming season opener at Michigan Stadium, 115,000 screaming fans will hear that exact proclamation voiced by Darth Vader himself, alumnus James Earl Jones. Grasso anchors this institutional reputation in concrete metrics: - 110 academic programs ranked in the top 10 nationally - Ranked the #9 university in the world by *Time Magazine*, trailing only Harvard, Yale, Stanford, MIT, and the University of Chicago (with Grasso joking, *"I know they got some of those wrong"*) - Gathering inside Crisler Center, home to elite athletics, including the 2026 gymnastics national champions

Grasso jokes about modern student life, guessing that within the last 45 minutes nearly everyone in the room has looked down at their smartphone to check scores, place dorm deliveries, or scroll past digital creators like IShowSpeed, Alix Earle, or engineer Mark Rober. However, he pivotally declares: *"You have just become part of the world's ultimate influencers: the University of Michigan."*

He challenges the incoming cohort to let themselves be molded by the premier educators surrounding them. He highlights the world-class faculty—scientists, poets, engineers, nurses, archaeologists, and social workers—and urges students to visit faculty office hours consistently, noting that direct, one-on-one mentorship will become one of the defining highlights of their college education. Grasso reassures those experiencing self-doubt or imposter syndrome, emphasizing that anxiety in a massive new setting is completely normal and that every single student was chosen deliberately because the university believes in their capacity to thrive.

---

[35:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cT4Un_LCqyM&t=2100s) Immersing in Campus Culture, Civic Engagement, and Traditions

President Grasso expands on how the campus landscape itself serves as a profound catalyst for intellectual and creative development. He enumerates the extraordinary resources available steps away from their residence halls: - The Western Hemisphere's largest collection of papyri, housed in the university library, containing genuine fragments of Homer's *Odyssey* dating back thousands of years - Scenic outdoor retreats like the Nichols Arboretum ("The Arb") in the autumn and the ponds and wooded running paths on North Campus - Maya Lin's *Wave Field* installation on North Campus, designed by the celebrated architect of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial - Iconic campus traditions, including studying in the Law Quad ("imagining yourself at Hogwarts"), spinning the Cube, and avoiding stepping on the central bronze "M" on the Diag

Grasso reminds the audience that their platform as Michigan influencers carries public responsibilities, specifically pointing to civic engagement on Election Day in November. He directs eligible American citizens to check their registration status via [govote.umich.edu](https://govote.umich.edu), emphasizing that participation can take place either on campus in Ann Arbor or via absentee ballot back home.

Before the ceremony wraps up, Grasso delivers two logistical instructions: 1. Students must stay in their seats during the official stage recessional. 2. Immediately following the ceremony, all new students are invited across the street to the Michigan Golf Course for an orientation welcome tailgate.

To conclude Convocation, Grasso invites the Michigan Fanfare Band to play two traditional campus songs: the university alma mater, "The Yellow and Blue," followed by the fight song, "The Victors." Grasso reminds the arena that "The Victors" was composed by student Louis Elbel more than 125 years ago—standing as living proof of the lasting cultural impact a Michigan student can generate. He leaves the freshman class with a final rallying call to sing along loudly: *"Once again, welcome to Michigan, and forever Go Blue!"*

[40:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cT4Un_LCqyM&t=2400s) Concluding Remarks and Event Dismissal

As the formal program of the 2026 New Student Convocation draws to a close at the Crisler Center, the proceedings transition into the final recessional and event dismissal. The stage wraps up with announcements marking "The End" of the ceremony, accompanied by celebratory background music echoing throughout the arena as attendees begin to disperse.

Amid the ambient arena noise and exit chatter, speakers and staff members exchange parting words, expressions of appreciation, and goodbyes from the platform. Amid repeated calls of "Thank you" and farewells of "Bye" and "I'm going to go," the gathering concludes with students, faculty, and families exiting the venue to mark the official start of the academic year.

## Notable quotes > [00:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cT4Un_LCqyM&t=0s) the world's defining university dedicated to the public good — Dr. Laurie McCauley

> [05:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cT4Un_LCqyM&t=300s) keep that same energy — Dr. Laurie McCauley

> [15:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cT4Un_LCqyM&t=900s) You belong. Each of you belongs here. — Adele Brumfield

> [15:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cT4Un_LCqyM&t=900s) with great power, comes great responsibility — Dr. Martino Harmon

> [20:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cT4Un_LCqyM&t=1200s) Be curious. Listen well and ask thoughtful questions. Mindfully step outside of your comfort zone. — Dr. Martino Harmon

> [20:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cT4Un_LCqyM&t=1200s) watch the squirrels fulfill their secret plan to conquer Ann Arbor. — Shamik Patel

> [25:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cT4Un_LCqyM&t=1500s) Let's hit today with the kind of enthusiasm unknown to humankind! — Shamik Patel

> [25:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cT4Un_LCqyM&t=1500s) I had a dream so big and loud, I jumped so high I touched the clouds... No, just don't wake me now. This is gonna be the best day of my life! — Amazin' Blue

> [25:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cT4Un_LCqyM&t=1500s) Welcome to the University of Michigan. We're Amazin' Blue, and get ready for the best four years of your life! — Amazin' Blue

> [30:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cT4Un_LCqyM&t=1800s) the greatest university in the world — President Domenico Grasso

> [30:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cT4Un_LCqyM&t=1800s) You have just become part of the world's ultimate influencers: the University of Michigan. — President Domenico Grasso

> [35:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cT4Un_LCqyM&t=2100s) Once again, welcome to Michigan, and forever Go Blue! — President Domenico Grasso

## Mentioned Crisler Center, University of Michigan, Lily Hunwick, School of Music, Theatre & Dance, The Star-Spangled Banner, Dr. Laurie McCauley, School of Dentistry, Medical School, Professor Kentaro Toyama, Faculty Senate, Anishinaabe, Ojibwe, Odawa, Bodewadmi, Treaty at the Foot of the Rapids, University of Michigan Museum of Art, University Musical Society, Bert's Ticket program, Talking Maize and Blue, Adele Brumfield, Office of New Student Programs, Dr. Martino Harmon, Michigan Stadium, Center for Campus Involvement, Michigan Dining, Central Student Government, Shamik Patel, Tom Brady, Michael Phelps, Madonna, James Earl Jones, Law Quad, Diag, Jim Harbaugh, Amazin' Blue, American Authors, Best Day of My Life, Domenico Grasso, Time Magazine, Harvard, Yale, Stanford, MIT, University of Chicago, IShowSpeed, Alix Earle, Mark Rober, Homer, Odyssey, Nichols Arboretum, Maya Lin, Wave Field, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, The Cube, govote.umich.edu, Michigan Golf Course, Michigan Fanfare Band, The Yellow and Blue, The Victors, Louis Elbel

## Video description Crisler Center August 30, 2026

Follow this link for a version with audio description: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVQdG04bxLM

[Source](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cT4Un_LCqyM)

中文简报

密歇根大学举行开学典礼，迎来申请人数超11.5万的创纪录新生班级校长 Domenico Grasso 将入学新生定位为全球影响力人物，敦促他们积极开展严谨辩论与校园公民参与。在学术领袖、学生会和大学管理层的致辞中，开学典礼正式欢迎新生加入密歇根大学。教务长 Laurie McCauley 与副教务长 Adele Brumfield 向这批从超11.5万名申请者中选拔出的新生表示祝贺，并敦促他们保持求知欲、积极面对多元观点并寻求支持网络。在 CSG 主席 Shamik Patel 发表鼓舞人心的演讲以及阿卡贝拉乐团 Amazin' Blue 献上音乐表演后，校长 Domenico Grasso 激励学生们承担起密歇根影响力人物的角色，积极参与公民事务并融入校园传统，典礼最后在传统校歌声中落下帷幕。密歇根大学为其2026年秋季入学班级评估了超过11.5万名候选人的申请，生源遍及全美50个州、各美国领地以及众多国家。 (10:00) 教务长 Laurie McCauley 和学生生活部门领导层敦促新生走出舒适区，拥抱思想多样性与良性分歧，将其作为大学教育的核心要素。 (5:00) 校长 Domenico Grasso 强调了学校的全球声誉，重点提及校内110个全美排名前十的学术专业，以及在《时代周刊》（Time Magazine）世界大学排名中位列第九的成绩。 (30:00) 大学领导层呼吁新入学的“狼獾”（Wolverines）履行公民责任，利用 govote.umich.edu 进行选民登记以参加即将到来的11月选举。 (35:00)

Reading summary

At the 2026 New Student Convocation, University of Michigan leaders and student representatives welcomed the incoming class, charging them to leverage the institution's immense scale through active curiosity, constructive engagement across ideological differences, and civic responsibility. Institutional Scale and Competitive Admissions (10:00) Provost Laurie McCauley and Vice Provost for Enrollment Management Adele Brumfield framed the historical and academic magnitude of the university. In delivering the formal land acknowledgment, McCauley noted that the institution rests on Anishinaabe ancestral territory, reaffirmed by an 1817 land transfer under the Treaty at the Foot of the Rapids with the Ojibwe, Odawa, and Bodewadmi nations. Brumfield stated that the fall 2026 incoming class was selected from an applicant pool exceeding 115,000 individuals, bringing together students from across Michigan, all 50 U.S. states, U.S. territories, and numerous foreign nations. President Domenico Grasso underscored the university's academic standing, noting that Michigan maintains 110 academic programs ranked in the national top 10 and holds the ninth position globally according to Time Magazine. Brumfield and student leaders emphasized that graduates eventually enter a worldwide alumni network numbering more than 710,000 individuals. Intellectual Exploration and Constructive Disagreement (5:00) Provost McCauley presented two primary recommendations for navigating the university's academic environment: embracing intellectual curiosity and learning through disagreement. Highlighting the presence of more than 180 research centers and institutes—spanning disciplines from quantum mechanics and solar-car racing to acoustic tumor ablation—McCauley urged students to explore unfamiliar fields and balance rigorous academic focus with exploratory play. Addressing the diversity of the student body, McCauley emphasized that students will encounter conflicting perspectives regarding politics, culture, and ethics. Citing the university's orientation framework, 'Talking Maize and Blue,' she challenged incoming students to sustain dialogues across differing viewpoints past their initial comfort levels. Vice President for Student Life Dr. Martino Harmon reinforced this view, stating that the capacity to synthesize knowledge across differences serves as an essential tool for solving global challenges. Fostering Belonging and Seeking Mentorship (15:00) Acknowledging the transition hurdles faced by new arrivals, Vice Provost Brumfield shared her background as a first-generation college student to emphasize institutional belonging. She advised the class to set aside pride and proactively seek assistance from academic advisors, mentors, and faculty whenever academic or personal difficulties arise. President Grasso directly addressed imposter syndrome, reassuring the audience that feelings of self-doubt are normal within a campus of Michigan's size. He urged students to actively utilize faculty office hours across disciplines, asserting that direct mentorship from the university's researchers, scholars, and practitioners remains one of the most valuable aspects of an undergraduate education. Alumni Legacy, Civic Agency, and Traditions (20:00) Central Student Government President Shamik Patel situated incoming students within a legacy that includes 10 Nobel laureates, 35 Pulitzer Prize winners, three U.S. Supreme Court justices, heads of state, and developers of the polio and flu vaccines. Patel urged peers to recognize that lasting impact is shaped not only by professional accomplishments, but also by reciprocal respect and day-to-day kindness toward colleagues and loved ones. President Grasso framed the student body as societal influencers with civic duties, explicitly directing eligible voters to register for the upcoming November election via govote.umich.edu. Highlighting cultural resources, Grasso noted campus assets such as Maya Lin's Wave Field and the Western Hemisphere's largest papyrological collection. He concluded by citing the student composition of the fight song 'The Victors' over 125 years ago as historical evidence of the enduring cultural contributions students can make. The convocation presentations framed the undergraduate experience as a pathway toward leadership and civic agency, asserting that academic success requires active participation in campus resources. However, the speakers left open how incoming students will navigate the practical challenges of sustaining constructive dialogue and managing institutional complexity across such a vast campus community.

Source quotes

[0:00] Dr. Laurie McCauley: the world's defining university dedicated to the public good [5:00] Dr. Laurie McCauley: keep that same energy [15:00] Adele Brumfield: You belong. Each of you belongs here. [15:00] Dr. Martino Harmon: with great power, comes great responsibility [20:00] Dr. Martino Harmon: Be curious. Listen well and ask thoughtful questions. Mindfully step outside of your comfort zone. [20:00] Shamik Patel: watch the squirrels fulfill their secret plan to conquer Ann Arbor. [25:00] Shamik Patel: Let's hit today with the kind of enthusiasm unknown to humankind! [25:00] Amazin' Blue: I had a dream so big and loud, I jumped so high I touched the clouds... No, just don't wake me now. This is gonna be the best day of my life! [25:00] Amazin' Blue: Welcome to the University of Michigan. We're Amazin' Blue, and get ready for the best four years of your life! [30:00] President Domenico Grasso: the greatest university in the world [30:00] President Domenico Grasso: You have just become part of the world's ultimate influencers: the University of Michigan. [35:00] President Domenico Grasso: Once again, welcome to Michigan, and forever Go Blue!

Original transcript

[0:00] The End The End . . you you Thank you. you Amen. Amen. . you . Thank you. . . . . . Thank you. you Thank you. you Amen. . . . you you I you Thank you. . . . . . Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. On behalf of the faculty of the University of Michigan, It is my great pleasure to welcome you to New Student Convocation. Please rise, if you're able, for our national anthem. It will be sung by School of Music, Theater, and Dance, Senior Lily Hunwick. Oh, say can you. see By the dawn's early light What so proudly we hailed at the twilight the evening is Whose broad stripes And bright stars through the perilous. I'm sorry. O'er the ramparts we watch? We're so gallantly streaming. And the rocket's red glare The bombs bursting in air. Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there. Oh, say does that star-spangled Banner yet wet O'er the land of the free? And the helm of the great! Thank you. Good afternoon. I'm Laurie McCauley, provost. an Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, Professor of Periodontics in the Dental School, and pathology in the medical sphere. [5:00] - It's an honor to welcome you all to the University of Michigan. the world's defining university dedicated to the public good. Let's give another round of applause for Lily Hunwick, and the musicians. Thank you. Thank you. And the musicians from the School of Music, Theater, and Dance for the Music that began our ceremony. Thank you. I want to acknowledge Kentaro Toyama the W.K. Kellogg Professor of Community Information Professor of Information and Chair of our Faculty Senate, representing our talented and enthusiastic faculty. They are eager to meet you. As we welcome our new students, I would also like to thank the parents, family, teachers, advisors, and friends who have supported them. The university representative seated on the stage include the university's executive officers, and the deans of the schools and colleges. They will be identified individually on the video screens throughout the program. As we begin, I want to recognize an important part of our history, a land transfer from the indigenous people of this area The University of Michigan is located on the traditional territory of the Anishinaabe people. In 1817, the Ojibwe, Odawa, and Badawadawi nations made the largest single land transfer to the University of Michigan. This was offered ceremonially through the treaty at the foot of the rapids So their children could be educated. Through these words of acknowledgment, their contemporary and ancestral ties to the land, and their contributions to the university a renewed and reaffirmed Students, Welcome to the University of Michigan Thank you. We may not have had the chance to meet yet, But I know a couple things about you already. I know that you have what it takes to make it at one of the best universities in the world. That's why you're in this room. And for that, you should be very, very proud. Let's hear it for the next generation of wolverines. Thank you. I also know that you chose to attend New Student Convocation. That tells me you're excited, serious people who are ready to dig in deeply into life at this university. to use a parlance of our times, Keep that same energy. it will serve you well. There is one more thing I know about you. you likely have no idea what a provost is. That's all right. Many people don't. As provost, I oversee the academic side of Michigan, our schools and colleges, faculty, academic programs, and ultimately the education you are here to receive. Think of me as someone who spends a great deal of time thinking about your classes before you ever have to. And since I have you captive for a few minutes, I want to offer two thoughts about how to make the most of them. First, This is a colossal, fascinating, and sometimes intimidating place. We have experts in quantum mechanics, We destroy tumors with sound waves and race solar-powered cars. On this campus, you'll share hallways and beautiful green spaces with prominent scholars famous authors and athletes. We have multiple campuses, a hospital system, and more than 180 centers and institutes. Here's my advice. When your intelligence is called for, Use it. And at this university, it will be called for often. but otherwise embrace a spirit of curiosity and play. Relax into this community. Just go and explore. This is a place of big, intriguing sculptures, What do they mean? go inside the open. [10:00] Art Museum and Ask Someone. Find someone who shares your fear of heights and take up rock climbing. Did you know that people of all abilities can play wheelchair basketball here side by side? Give it a shot. And when you're done, after you go home and shower, attend a free musical performance through Burt's ticket program. from the University Musical Society. My second piece of advice pertains to the frustrating, fascinating, undeniable fact that you are surrounded by people who do not see the world the same way you do. among the thousands of people sharing this experience with you precisely none of them Think exactly. as you do. Many of you will disagree with one another about important even profound aspects of life, education, politics, culture. or even morality. The people seated around you hold more views of the world Any of you can currently imagine Over the next four years, they will be as much a part of your education is anything I've described Many of you have been through our program, Talking Maize and Blue, So you have already practiced this in miniature. Seek out those who see things differently and stay in dialogue with them past the point of comfort. Doing so will immeasurably improve your education and perhaps more importantly, give you the tools to succeed in the broader world after graduation. Thank you. And once again, Welcome to the University of Michigan. Thank you. And now I'm pleased to introduce Vice Provost for Enrollment Management, Adele Brumfield. Thank you. Hello, Wolverines. My name is Adele Brumfield. and I have the privilege of serving as Vice Provost for Enrollment Management. my team in admissions, financial aid, the registrar, Office of New Student Programs, and communications. We're joined by so many colleagues across our schools colleges and campus units to help you find your way here. I want to warmly welcome each of you. to the University of Michigan. You made it. . the journey has been years in the making. It required determination, sacrifice. hard work. and the courage to pursue something bigger. And today, you are all... officially Michigan Wolverines. Thank you. For fall 2026, more than 115,000 talented students applied to join this remarkable university. and you distinguish yourselves. It wasn't just your academic achievements that set you apart. There was so much more. You are intellectually curious. resilient, creative and bold thinkers... who possess strong character and demonstrated leadership ability. your potential to contribute to our community in significant ways and make us stronger is tremendous. And that's why... We chose you. And we are so grateful that you chose us. Thank you. Now, many people helped you arrive here today. Parents. grandparents, aunties and uncles, siblings, teachers, counselors, coaches, mentors, and friends. Now today is your achievement. but it is also theirs. I hope you take time to thank them. Don't forget those people will always be in your corner. So remain connected and keep them posted on what's happening here. [15:00] It will put smiles on their faces and remind you that you are not alone. Our newest Wolverines come from across Michigan, Around the country are U.S. territories and countries around the globe. Now some of you are the first in your family to attend college. Others, have dreamed of Michigan since childhood, Having heard stories from their family members of their time on our campus. And some of you never imagined that the state of Michigan would be your college home. Now through your own process of discernment, Each of you saw something special in the University of Michigan community that made you believe that we can help be a catalyst in helping you achieve your dreams. A Michigan education, it's about more than earning a degree. It will challenge you to think critically, Ask better questions. collaborate across differences. and lead with integrity, humility, and compassion. Like some of you, I remember arriving on my own college campus along Long time ago. as the first in my family to attend a four-year university. I remember wondering, whether I truly belong. You belong. Each of you belongs here. Now is your time. Now remember, If you need help, even with something that seems small, Set your pride aside and ask for it. Your professors, advisors, counselors, classmates, mentors, coaches, and staff We're invested in your success. We're all in this together. Thank you. A few short years from now, you'll walk across a graduation stage much like this one, beaming with pride at what you've accomplished ready to join our alumni of over 710,000 strong. You'll celebrate with your friends. Remembering the things that frustrated you and those that gave you immense joy. You will be a changed person, prepared for whatever comes next. You'll be ready. The world has long looked to Michigan for leadership, discovery and innovation. And soon, the world will be looking to you. So be curious, be courageous, be kind, support one another, challenge yourselves. And never lose sight of the responsibility and privilege that comes with calling yourself a Michigan Wolverine. Welcome to your new home. Welcome to the University of Michigan and forever, Go Blue! Thank you. Thank you. Now, Now it's my pleasure to welcome our next speaker, Vice President for Student Life, Martino Harmon. Thank you. Thank you. Good afternoon, Wolverines, and welcome to Michigan. As your Vice President for Student Life, I'm honored to greet you in this historic Chrysler Center at the start of what promises to be and exciting journey. Over the coming weeks, Months? and yes, years. You'll explore campus. Meet new friends. and create a Michigan experience that is uniquely yours. You'll continue to dream big dreams, and fulfill them. Today is a brand new day. Today... you will join a community overflowing with opportunities. Your experiences and knowledge of yourself and of others and of the world that we all live in will grow exponentially. That knowledge will make you powerful. And yes, it's true. with great power, comes great responsibility. Knowledge is, in my opinion, one of humankind's greatest superpowers. Students, We have big expectations. of what you will do with your growing superpower, and your super responsibility. The University of Michigan is a place where people come together from every imaginable background, bringing with them unique ideas, [20:00] perspectives, opinions, and dreams. This makes our university a powerful place. You see, you are responsible. for challenging yourself today And every day. to learn from those whose experiences may be different from yours. BE CURIOUS. Listen well and ask thoughtful questions. Mindfully step outside of your comfort zone. This is how you'll make the most of Michigan. And before you know it, You'll be in that big house next door for graduation Ready. to join a vast network of alumni dedicated to making a difference All over the world. Students, Thank you for being here. and for all that I know you will do in the future." The rich history and traditions of Michigan continue on this day because of you. Before I finish... I want to take a moment to thank the Housing RARE Staff, the Office of New Student Programs, the Center for Campus Involvement, Michigan Dining. and the hundreds of staff volunteers from across campus for their work to make move in and welcome as seamless as possible. Please join me in giving them all a round of applause. Now, it is my pleasure to welcome our next speaker, the president of Central Student Government, Summit Lauff. Thank you so much. Thank you. Hello, Wolverines. My name is Summit Lau. And I have the unique an incredible privilege. of serving as your student body president. Today is about you. I'm sure that you're nervous, that you don't know when or where you're going to make friends, and I know many of you in this audience are so overwhelmed by your own ambitions that you're already thinking about what needs to be done to succeed. While the friendships you make at this storied institution become lifelong bonds, And while the career you can achieve through this prestigious university can reach to the highest levels of every imaginable profession. I want you to silence all the noise. Just for today. and remind yourself just how far you've come. each and every one of you. is now a part of the greatest university on the face of the earth. You are now among the likes of hundreds of members of Congress. three Supreme Court justices, Prime Ministers and Presidents of Italy, Jordan, Pakistan, Madagascar, Costa Rica and the United States of America. You're joining researchers. who helped invent the flu and polio vaccines. You're joining 35 Pulitzer Prize winners and 10 Nobel laureates. And finally, You're joining the likes of all time legends, goats like Tom Brady, Michael Phelps, Madonna, and the late, great James Earl Jones. The fact... that you are now a part of this university. our university. is an immeasurably monumental accomplishment that I want all of you to take today to truly internalize. I ask you to take this week. to walk around and soak in our green and historic campus. walk around the law quad, and lay on the grass on the Diag and watch the squirrels fulfill their secret plan to conquer Ann Arbor. They're coming for us. And while your experience... while you're on our campus. while you experience our campus. YOUR CAMPUS. Remind yourself just how proud your loved ones are. and just how proud our Michigan family is to welcome you into our unrivaled community. You have so many friends you are yet to have. You have so many stories you are yet to create. and you have so many positive things that you're going to contribute to this world. Your contributions to society Won't just come from your professional life, but they'll come from the loved ones themselves. whose lives you make brighter. Members of our Michigan family are able to lead such incredible lives Because we believe in the core tenet that to receive respect You need to give it. I ask [25:00] you to appreciate today. Because today, is the first day of your new life, as one of the leaders and best. Every single morning before waking up for school and going to school, my father and I would recite a phrase inspired by a Michigan alum. Right before getting out of the car, every morning we'd say, "Let's hit today!" with the kind of enthusiasm unknown to humankind. And so today, to celebrate and mark the beginning of the best era of all of your lives. I say to you, Let's hit today with the kind of enthusiasm unknown to humankind. Go Blue, baby! Now, Oh, I'm sorry. Next up. I would like to welcome the University of Michigan's oldest All Gender Acapella Group, Amazing Blue. Give it up for them. Thank you. *music* I had a dream so big and loud, I jumped so high I touched the clouds, whoa-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh. I stretched my hands up to the sky, we danced with monsters through the night, whoa-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh. No, just don't wake me now. This is gonna be the best day of my life. My life. This is gonna be the best day of my life. My life. My life. I hopped up the moon with friends, and then the sun kept crashing, and it's whoa-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh. I'm not. And all the possibilities, no limits, just epiphanies. This is gonna be the best day of my life. My life. Oh, this is gonna be the best day of my life. My life. Oh. I hear it calling outside my window, I feel it in my soul. The sun's a burning so bright, the sun was dark till midnight, I say we lose control. Welcome to the University of Michigan. We're amazing blue and get ready for the best four years of your life. One, two, three, four. This is gonna be the best day of my life. My life. This is gonna be the best day of my life. My life. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. . Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. [30:00] . Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Wow, what a great montage. And let's give another round of applause for Amazing Blue. Thank you. That montage was provided by the Office of New Student Programs. We hope this gives you an exciting glimpse into all of the possibilities that await you across our beautiful campus. Now, Without any further ado, it is my honor to introduce the 16th president, of the University of Michigan. Domenico Grasso. Thank you. Thank you, Vice President Harmon. Students, I want to join in welcoming you to Michigan the greatest university in the world. And this is not hyperbole. Come to opening football game on September 5th. and you will hear the great James Earl Jones Michigan alum, and the voice of Darth Vader say the same thing. Thank you. and 115,000 people will roar an agreement. That's because we have 110 programs ranked in the top 10. and you'll soon experience some of them. Time Magazine ranked Michigan as the number nine university in the world. The only American universities ahead of us were Harvard, Yale, Stanford, MIT, and Chicago. And I know they got some of those wrong. . And we are welcoming you here in Chrysler Center home of the best basketball team in the land and 2026 national champions. You are all new to Michigan, and we are just getting to know one another. But I am going to make a bold statement about who you are. and say that in the past, 45 minutes you have probably looked... at your phones. Am I right? You've checked sports scores. You're probably buying more stuff for your dorm rooms and watching your favorite influencers. Maybe you enjoy I Show Speed or Alex Earl, right? And I'm guessing some aspiring engineers here are following Mark Rober. Well, I have an alert for you. You have just become part of the world's ultimate influencers, the University of Michigan, Thank you. Michigan faculty are among the best in the world. They're scientists, engineers, and musicians. Poets. nurses and teachers. Archaeologists, computer scientists, and social workers. They are experts who are waiting to teach you. Our faculty will inspire and challenge you, encourage you to think in new ways. They want to hear your ideas and questions, whether in the classrooms or in the hallways. When they offer office hours, go to them. Having one-on-one conversations with your professors will be among the best experiences of your time at Michigan. Your fellow students will influence you. That includes your roommates, the new faces in large lecture halls, and the strangers you meet in a student organization. If you're feeling a little bit anxious or uncertain about being alone here, You're not alone. Almost everyone does at some point And even if the person sitting next to you looks completely confident know that they're experiencing the same thing. We believe you will do well. That's why we admitted you and wanted you to be part of our community. You'll meet classmates from across the country and around the world whose experiences backgrounds, and perspectives may be very different from your own. That is one of the things [35:00] ...things that makes Michigan so fascinating and so influential. Prepare to be influenced by live music. Museum exhibits, artistic performances, library collections, rallies on the Diag, and notable speakers who visit campus. Among our holdings... is included the largest collection of papyri in the Western Hemisphere. Papyri is plural for papyrus. if you're interested in that. And that includes fragments of Homer's original odyssey. thousands of years old. right here in Ann Arbor. All of this is designed to challenge your thinking and broaden your perspectives. And always let the Michigan campus itself influence you. Make time to explore the Arb in the fall. Enjoy the walking paths and pond on North Campus. Visit Maya Lin's Wave Field on North Campus. Maya, was the architect of the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, DC. And she designed this for us here in Ann Arbor. Hang out in a lockwad. And imagine yourself at Hogwarts. Spin the cube and jump over the block M. Let the beauty of Michigan recharge you mentally and physically. And as you do all this, know that you too our influencers. You have the ideas, talent, and creativity to shape and change those around you. Always do so with empathy and kindness, because we are proud of our sense of community and the ways we support one another. There is one more important way that you can use your influence. That's Election Day in November, November 3rd. If you are an American citizen and not yet registered to vote, Please. do so either here in Ann Arbor or in your hometown. You can learn all the details at GoVote.com. www.umich.edu. Again, we're so excited to have you as part of our community. As we conclude, I have two important notes to share. first of the many notes you will take as students. First, those of us on stage will lead the recessional march, which closes the program. Please remain in your seats until the recession is complete. Second, this is the really important part. Please join your classmates at the Michigan golf course across the street for a tailgate. But before any of us leave, I would like to invite the Fanfare Band to send us off with two songs. that are part of the Michigan tradition. The first we will hear is the Michigan Alma Mater, the yellow and blue. This might be your first time hearing this anthem, but it won't be your last. You'll often hear it at the end of football games and at ceremonial events like your commencement in a few years. Then the band will perform the greatest college fight song ever written, The Victors. A Michigan student wrote that song, more than 125 years ago. You never know what you will create here what idea you will have or what change you will make. That's the kind of influence you can have. you are strongly encouraged to sing loudly and proudly. Once again, welcome to Michigan and forever Go Blue! I'm sorry. Thank you. And up. . THE END [40:00] The End The End Thank you. Help! Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. you Thank you. Oh - - Oh Thank you. Bye. . *music* I'm going to go. Bye. Thank you. . you Thank you. . Thank you. Oh - - . . . Bye. you