UMass Lowell Ushers in the Class of 2029 with convocation Ceremony
LOWELL, MA - UMass Lowell officially welcomed over 3,300 new students comprising the Class of 2029 at a convocation ceremony held Tuesday morning at the Tsongas Center. The event marked the beginning of the academic year for the incoming freshman class.
The ceremony featured welcoming remarks and advice from UML leadership, current students, and alumni.gavin Robillard, a business administration major from Leominster and president of the UML Student Government Association, shared his experience as a first-generation college student, emphasizing the obligation that comes with higher education.
“That is why, once I got here, I realized I wasn’t just doing it for myself, I also had a responsibility to family, to friends and others like me who weren’t sure if they belonged in college,” Robillard stated. “that is when I began to understand something important, not just in college, but in life: the power of being a role model. You never know who is watching … You might inspire someone to do something new, or to do more than they thought they could.”
UML Chancellor Julie Chen encouraged students to embrace their individual journeys and apply their classroom learning to real-world experiences.She also highlighted the university’s commitment to providing “career-connected experiences,” guaranteeing each member of the Class of 2029 a paid or credited internship or co-op chance before graduation.
Keynote speaker William Lefebvre, a 2024 graduate of UMass lowell’s sustainability program, addressed the incoming class. Lefebvre previously represented the university at the 2023 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Dubai, united Arab Emirates, and currently works as an environmental scientist with Weston & Sampson Engineers Inc.,having completed a co-op with the company while a student. Lefebvre’s current role is based at Weston & Sampson’s location within the Lowell Innovation Network Corridor on the UML campus.
Acknowledging the challenges facing the world today, Lefebvre affirmed UMass Lowell’s dedication to opportunity. “From local projects here on campus to a global stage halfway across the world, UMass Lowell gave me the tools, the network and the confidence to step into spaces I never thought I’d be in. and the same opportunities are waiting for you,” he said.
Following the ceremony and a luncheon, students attended the UML Engagement Fair, where they learned about the university’s extensive offerings of over 250 extracurricular clubs and intramural sports teams.
Originally Published: September 2, 2025 at 5:04 PM EDT.
