The Convocation tradition at USM began in the early 1980s to provide an opportunity for members of the University Community to engage in a collective exploration of a broad-based theme through a series of relevant events. While a typical Convocation takes place over a single academic year and occurs every other academic year, in recent years we have held multi-year thematic Convocations. In 2000, the University of Maine System Board of Trustees approved naming the Convocation in honor of the late Gloria S. Duclos, Professor Emerita of Classics, and a faculty leader who taught at USM from 1962 until 1992. During that period she maintained USM’s classical languages and cultures curriculum, was a founding designer of the University Honors Program, and was an active and highly respected member of the Classical Association of New England.
The Provost issues a call for Convocation themes at their discretion (annually or bi-annually), and faculty and staff proposals are reviewed by a selection committee convened by the Provost.