Convocation is on Saturday, May 10, 2025 at 2 p.m. On-stage participants must arrive by 1:30 p.m.
Event Location: Schneebeck Concert Hall
Academic Convocation is a celebration of student achievement. The event will feature remarks by a student and faculty speaker and the presentation of university awards. Awards range from accolades for research, creative work, academics, and service to a department/program. Invitations to the students who will be recognized on stage or in the program will go out via email on April 16th, 2025. Even if a student is not receiving an award, everyone is welcome to attend the ceremony and support the achievements of their peers.
Faculty Speaker for Academic Convocation - Samuel Kigar
Samuel Kigar is Associate Professor of Islam in the Department of Religion, Spirituality, and Society. A specialist in Islamic studies, his research focuses on intersections of religion and politics. His book, titled Islamic Terroir: Religion, Community, and Land in Modern Morocco, forthcoming from University of Chicago Press, concerns how Moroccan notions of territory emerged from within Muslim sources in the twentieth century. His work also examines intersections of religion and literature, environment, and gender. He teaches courses on Islam, antisemitism and Islamophobia, Judaism, and the interplay of religion, politics, and climate change.
Professor Kigar's Convocation talk is titled "Art Is What People Do When They Are Free."
Below is student speaker information for Convocation 2024. This page will be updated with 2025 student speaker information when it becomes available.
Student Speaker for Academic Convocation - Kaya Rose Heimowitz
Kaya Rose Heimowitz is graduating with a double major in Chinese and English, with an emphasis in Creative Writing. Kaya’s interest in language and travel led her to study abroad both in Taiwan and Dublin during her time at Puget Sound. On campus, Kaya is an active community member and leader. She contributes to the independent student newspaper, The Trail, as both a columnist and section editor, and previously worked as the Director of Communications for Crosscurrents, Puget Sound’s literary and arts journal. Kaya serves as co-president of the Jewish Student Union and is a member of the Spiritual Life Leadership Team. She was recently awarded a Fulbright grant and plans to continue her education at National Chengchi University in Taipei, where she will pursue a Master's in International Communication Studies with a focus on Advertising.
Kaya’s Academic Convocation address is titled, "The Story of Your Life: How Language Influences the Experience of Time."
