President Teresa A. Sullivan will speak at Fall Convocation in November. The top 20 percent of students who have completed at least 60 hours of coursework during their first two years at the University will be recognized. Courtesy of University Relations.

University President Teresa A. Sullivan will speak at Fall Convocation Nov. 5 at 2 p.m. at John Paul Jones Arena. This annual ceremony recognizes third-year students who have earned Intermediate Honors and celebrates recipients of the Thomas Jefferson Awards, the University’s highest honor.

“The special occasions committee was unanimous in its recommendation to ask President Sullivan to speak at convocation this year,” University spokesperson Carol Wood said in an e-mail. “It is a special honor and one that committee members believed would be fitting this year.”

Sullivan, who came to the University with an extensive background in scholarship and academic leadership from the University of Texas system and the University of Michigan, expressed enthusiasm both for her selection and the ceremony’s ties to Jeffersonian values.

“I am honored to have the opportunity to speak to students, parents and faculty members at Fall Convocation,” Sullivan said in a University press release. “This is a festive ceremony to honor the achievement of our top students and to present the Thomas Jefferson Award to two members of our community who have exemplified the principles and ideals of Mr. Jefferson.”

Sullivan added that she is eagerly awaiting the ceremony and other aspects of Family Weekend.

“I look forward to speaking at the ceremony and to participating in a full weekend of activities for our students and their families,” she said.

—compiled by Kate Colwell