The 539th Convocation

Celebrating the Class of 2025

Students celebrate during the 2025 Convocation ceremony
The UChicago community celebrated the Class of 2025 during Saturday’s Convocation ceremony with encouragement from speakers Prof. Kunle Odunsi and President Paul Alivisatos. “Right now, the world needs you,” said Odunsi. “It needs your voice, your vision, and your courage to become advocates—not just for what is, but for what could be.”

UChicago’s Class of 2025 urged to ‘forge a stronger future’

The UChicago community celebrated the Class of 2025 during Saturday’s Convocation ceremony with encouragement from speakers Prof. Kunle Odunsi and President Paul Alivisatos. “Right now, the world needs you,” said Odunsi. “It needs your voice, your vision, and your courage to become advocates—not just for what is, but for what could be.”

Class of 2025 reflects on the many roads to Convocation
Graduating students share how UChicago shaped their experiences—from Mount Athos to the Main Quads
Students in maroon graduation robes stand in a line behind a student holding a glad with the University of Chicago crest.
Graduating students share how UChicago shaped their experiences—from Mount Athos to the Main Quads

‘We made it’: Class Day speakers share lessons from College
Ceremony honors Class of 2025, kicks off Convocation weekend
Helen Wu, AB ’25 speaks on stage at the 2025 Class Day ceremony
Ceremony honors Class of 2025, kicks off Convocation weekend
From left: Prof. Greg Engel, Thea Berggren, and Prof. Julian Solway
Gift from philanthropist Thea Berggren to support research in bold new field

UChicago receives $21 million to establish visionary center in quantum engineering and health

Gift from philanthropist Thea Berggren to support research in bold new field

New research shows Medicaid expansion reduced mortality in low-income adults

A doctor reviews a document on a tablet with a patient

How does life rebound from mass extinctions? Scientists find surprising answers

Nighttime photo of a forest burning

Honors

Sophie Tedesco awarded Hugo F. Sonnenschein Medal of Excellence

Sophie Tedesco poses outside on UChicago's campus.

$18.4 million gift from Leinweber Foundation to support new institute for theoretical physics at UChicago

Exterior view of the Michelson Center for Physics

Harper Court Ventures launches with $25 million supporting UChicago deep tech startups

Aerial view of UChicago's campus in Hyde Park

Master's education at UChicago

Programs transforming careers

Video thumbnail for the video

UChicago master’s programs meet demand in evolving job market

Degree programs help students build skills, become future leaders and make impact

‘Theoretical rigor with practical application’: UChicago master’s in data science and computer science
Programs provide real-world skills and hands-on experience in a supportive environment
Fouad Bousetouane teaching class
Programs provide real-world skills and hands-on experience in a supportive environment

‘Immersive and transformative’: UChicago’s master’s in arts and humanities
Interdisciplinary programs offer students a rigorous and impactful experience
Hilary Strang inside the classroom
Interdisciplinary programs offer students a rigorous and impactful experience

AROUND UCHICAGO

Urban Education Institute classroom
Commitment will support scholars, applied research and school social workers to help transform schools and increase student achievement

$25 million gift from Priscilla and Steven A. Kersten to advance and strengthen K–12 education research

Commitment will support scholars, applied research and school social workers to help transform schools and increase student achievement

UChicago announces 2025 winners of Quantrell and Ph.D. teaching awards

Prof. David Cash teaching class

Possible sign of life in deep space faces new doubts
UChicago analysis of new and old data suggests the signal is weak and explainable by other molecules
Artist illustration of the planet K2-18b
UChicago analysis of new and old data suggests the signal is weak and explainable by other molecules

UChicago scientists invent breakthrough device to detect airborne signs of disease
Portable tech captures molecules in breath to aid medical care from diabetes to at-risk newborn development
A machine to detect certain molecules in air samples. The machine consists of a glass box connected with various wires, with a green air pump on one side.
Portable tech captures molecules in breath to aid medical care from diabetes to at-risk newborn development

Research

Sensitive teeth? Blame these ancient fish
New research on fossils shows teeth first evolved as sensory tissue in the armored exoskeletons of early fish
Astraspis vs Megalographtus
New research on fossils shows teeth first evolved as sensory tissue in the armored exoskeletons of early fish

Inside the Lab

Explore Labs Across UChicago

Sheffield Lab: Understanding the neuroscience of memories

Watch UChicago neurobiologist Mark Sheffield and his team investigate the mechanisms of memory by studying neuron activity and connections. Their research could enhance the treatment of memory-related conditions such as Alzheimer’s and PTSD.

Awad Lab: Predicting and preventing strokes and brain bleeds
In the newest episode of Inside the Lab, visit Prof. Issam Awad and learn about his team's mission: to prevent strokes before they happen.
Prof. Issam Awad
In the newest episode of Inside the Lab, visit Prof. Issam Awad and learn about his team's mission: to prevent strokes before they happen.

Light Lab: Understanding the gut microbiome to treat disease
Step inside Asst. Prof. Sam Light’s lab to learn how scientists are mapping the incredible network of microbes living inside your gut—and how they can affect health or disease.
Inside the Lab
Step inside Asst. Prof. Sam Light’s lab to learn how scientists are mapping the incredible network of microbes living inside your gut—and how they can affect health or disease.

Education Lab: Using tutoring to reverse pandemic-era learning loss
Learn how UChicago experts are working with school districts nationwide to tackle learning loss and scale solutions to set students up for success.
An instructor works with a student at the Education Lab
Learn how UChicago experts are working with school districts nationwide to tackle learning loss and scale solutions to set students up for success.

PODCASTS

Big Brains homepage

Episode 160

Inside the disease that changes your personality, with Bruce Miller
Neurologist explores the ‘social brain’ and how dementia affects how we act
A high contrast black and white portrait of an individual with FTD
Neurologist explores the ‘social brain’ and how dementia affects how we act

Episode 159

Meet the ‘Planet Hunter’ searching for alien life, with Jacob Bean
Astrophysicist studies atmospheres of distant worlds to identify habitable exoplanets
An artist's illustration of Kepler Planet 1649c from space
Astrophysicist studies atmospheres of distant worlds to identify habitable exoplanets

Episode 158

How to stop gun violence before it starts, with Jens Ludwig
Crime Lab director argues we need to address behavioral causes of crime, in addition to policy and policing
A person holding a firearm
Crime Lab director argues we need to address behavioral causes of crime, in addition to policy and policing

Episode 157

Can your DNA predict your future?, with Dalton Conley
Sociologist examines how genetic science could forecast your income, education and love life
A child looks in the mirror
Sociologist examines how genetic science could forecast your income, education and love life

Episode 156

Can you really die of a broken heart? The hidden dangers of grief with Mary Frances O'Connor
Psychologist examines the stress that loss has on the body—and how society can help
A grieving woman stands with a rose
Psychologist examines the stress that loss has on the body—and how society can help

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UChicago Explainer Series

View All Explainers
Two versions of the Monopoly Man next to each other
Does the Monopoly Man have a monocle? The answer may be a false memory. At UChicago, scientists are studying this phenomenon, known as the Mandela effect, and how false memories form.

False Memories, explained

Does the Monopoly Man have a monocle? The answer may be a false memory. At UChicago, scientists are studying this phenomenon, known as the Mandela effect, and how false memories form.

RECENT

Carbon-14 dating, explained
First developed in the late 1940s at UChicago, carbon dating can determine the age of organic materials as old as 60,000 years.
A 2,000 year old painted wood mask from an ancient Egyptian coffin.
First developed in the late 1940s at UChicago, carbon dating can determine the age of organic materials as old as 60,000 years.

Improv, explained
Modern improv comedy began at the University of Chicago in the 1950s.
A chair on stage
Modern improv comedy began at the University of Chicago in the 1950s.

MOST VIEWED

How the Earth and moon formed, explained

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Events

June

8

Seeing Connections: The Art of Richard Penn

Seeing Connections: The Art of Richard Penn

Regenstein Library, The Special Collections Research Center

June

9

Seeing Connections: The Art of Richard Penn

Seeing Connections: The Art of Richard Penn

Regenstein Library, The Special Collections Research Center

June

10

Seeing Connections: The Art of Richard Penn

Seeing Connections: The Art of Richard Penn

Regenstein Library, The Special Collections Research Center

June

11

Seeing Connections: The Art of Richard Penn

Seeing Connections: The Art of Richard Penn

Regenstein Library, The Special Collections Research Center

June

11

Finding “Edna Lewis” Documentary Film Celebrates National Soul Food Month

Finding “Edna Lewis” Documentary Film Celebrates National Soul Food Month

Logan Center, Performance Hall

June

12

Seeing Connections: The Art of Richard Penn

Seeing Connections: The Art of Richard Penn

Regenstein Library, The Special Collections Research Center