Caltech Welcomed New Students at Convocation
The annual ceremony featured keynote speaker and fusion physicist Tammy Ma at the Beckman Auditorium.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Awards
Live Poll
Do you feel optimistic about the future of energy innovation and scientific progress?
Caltech held its annual convocation ceremony in Pasadena to officially welcome incoming undergraduate and graduate students. Plasma physicist Tammy Ma, a 2005 alumna, delivered the keynote address to the new cohort.
Why it matters
The ceremony serves as the traditional start of the academic year, helping new students transition into the university community. It highlights the institution's history of innovation by featuring alumni who have reached significant scientific milestones.
Keynote speaker Tammy Ma graduated from Caltech in 2005 and later led the team that achieved fusion ignition. Her work builds on physics research that dates back to the first hydrogen bomb test in 1952.
The players
Tammy Ma
She is a plasma physicist at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory who led a team to achieve fusion ignition.
Ray Jayawardhana
He is the president of Caltech who presided over the convocation ceremony.
The details
Incoming students marked their arrival by walking through balloon arches before entering the Beckman Auditorium. The event concluded with a new tradition where attendees sang the school alma mater while holding light sticks.
Timeline
The first hydrogen bomb test occurred in 1952.
Tammy Ma graduated from Caltech in 2005.
The convocation ceremony took place on September 25, 2026.
Culture Shift
The ceremony highlights a cultural shift in academia toward celebrating collaborative, high-impact research. This reflects an evolution from the solitary scientific pursuits of the mid-20th century to modern team-based breakthroughs.
The annual convocation marks a busy period in Pasadena as the influx of students settles into the local community. Residents should expect increased foot traffic around the campus area following the start of the academic year.
The takeaway
The event underscores the enduring connection between institutional legacy and modern scientific advancement. New students are encouraged to see their own academic journey as part of a long lineage of innovation.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments in university traditions and events at Awards.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Whittier Daily News.
Live Poll
Do you feel optimistic about the future of energy innovation and scientific progress?
