Acting President and Provost Barry Brown ushered in the academic year, welcoming students to Suffolk University at the New Student Academic Convocation held the day before classes began.

More than 700 first-year students donned academic regalia and led a procession into Tremont Temple, followed by the faculty and senior administration.

College of Arts and Sciences Dean Kenneth Greenberg and Sawyer Business School Dean William J. O’Neill, Jr. led the students in reciting the academic pledge, "Principles of our Community," officially marking their entrance into Suffolk University.

The annual celebration featured remarks from Vice President of Student Affairs Nancy Stoll and Student Government Association President Megan Caron.

For the first time in Convocation history, the students were greeted by an alumnus. Matthew Wilder, director of media relations for the Boston Public Schools and a 2005 graduate of the College of Arts and Sciences, told the new students that the education he received, and extracurricular activities he participated in while attending Suffolk University prepared him for his career.

Rampage! Show Choir, a new Performing Arts group, performed the national anthem and the closing song, “For Good,” from the musical Wicked.