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The University of Saint Joseph’s 2026 Convocation ceremony on Aug. 21, honored both tradition and innovation, as it welcomed the largest incoming class in the University’s history.
This first formal event of the academic year, marking the beginning of the students’ college journey, began with the time-honored procession of new first-year students and faculty marshals in their academic regalia.
Be a part of your college
During her welcoming remarks, Provost Michelle Kalis announced new developments around campus, such as the renovation of the library and the addition of men’s and women’s hockey programs, while still emphasizing the timeless mission of USJ to “promote the growth of the whole person in a caring environment that encourages strong ethical values, personal integrity, and a sense of responsibility to the needs of society.”
“I hope your years at USJ are filled with joy and many accomplishments, but that you also use the USJ community to support you in the good times as well as the challenging times. As students, you are responsible for your own success. It is your responsibility to become well-rounded USJ alumni with the knowledge and skills to succeed in your chosen field and also to contribute to the betterment of society,” Kalis said.
Student Government President Jacob Wang led the students in the New Student Pledge after a few words of advice: “Don’t just go to college. Be a part of your college… Some of the people you meet during your first few weeks here could become lifelong friends. Some of the opportunities you take a chance on could completely change your college experience.”
Don’t just go to college. Be a part of your college… Some of the people you meet during your first few weeks here could become lifelong friends. Some of the opportunities you take a chance on could completely change your college experience.
Student Government President Jacob Wang
Humor, hope, and family
Dr. Kristin Cistulli, associate professor and chair of the Department of Psychology, Family, and Justice Studies, 2026 recipient of the Reverend John J. Stack Teaching Excellence Award, gave the Convocation speech.
Entitled, “What You Need Because You’re Human,” Cistulli told the students that as a sophomore in college, she wrote a letter to acclaimed author Kurt Vonnegut after learning of some of the horrific events he had lived through, including the Great Depression, the loss of his mother to suicide, and being held as a prisoner of war in Germany during World War II.
“Given how much he lived through, it would have made sense for his books to be full of despair, and even though there is plenty of darkness in his opinion of humanity, there is also humor and hope,” Cistulli said. “I noticed that some of his books seemed to take a positive view of organized religion and some seemed to take a more negative view. In my letter to him, I asked a lot of questions, including whether or not he thought religion is a good thing.”
Not really expecting to hear back, Cistulli said she was “over the moon” when Vonnegut sent her a postcard with the message: “Dear Kristin – I was honored and entertained by your good letter. To answer one of your many questions: What you need because you’re human is an extended family. It can be, but needn’t be, a church.”
The best of USJ is a culture of extended family. Here at USJ, we take care of each other. We were founded by the Sisters of Mercy, an order of nuns whose mission is to take care of the most vulnerable…The Sisters’ approach to the world lives on in the culture of community that we have here at USJ.
Dr. Kristin Cistulli
“I tell you that story because it speaks to what I love about USJ and what I hope you’ll love about it too,” Cistulli told the students.
“The best of USJ is a culture of extended family. Here at USJ, we take care of each other. We were founded by the Sisters of Mercy, an order of nuns whose mission is to take care of the most vulnerable…The Sisters’ approach to the world lives on in the culture of community that we have here at USJ.
“I encourage you to build your family here from day one. Learn and appreciate each other through the everyday experiences you share so that when the time comes, you can rejoice in each other’s successes and lift each other up through challenges. As Vonnegut said, ‘what you need because you’re human is an extended family.’
“Start building that family here today.”