Skip to main site navigation Skip to main content

Virtual Tour | Visit Campus | Contact Us | Apply Now

Utica University Logo
  • Academics
    • Programs
    • Online Programs
      • Online Business Programs
    • Honors Program
    • Graduate Study
    • International Ed & Study Abroad
      • Study Abroad
    • Exceptional Faculty
    • Student Support and Success
    • Schedules, Catalogs, and Resources
    • Institutes and Centers
    • Utica University at Florida
      • Tuition and Fees: ABSN Program
      • Accepted Students
    • Current Offerings
    • General Education
      • Planning Sheet
      • Themed Pathways
    • Opportunity Programs
  • Tuition and Financial Aid
    • Understanding Financial Aid
      • Value
      • Excelsior, Explained
      • University Scholarships
      • Annual Awards
    • Applying For Financial Aid
    • Tuition and Fees
      • Utica Campus Programs
      • Online Programs
      • ABSN Program
    • Net Price Calculator
    • Pioneer Passport
  • Admissions
    • First-Year Admissions
    • Transfer Admissions
      • Articulation Agreements
    • Graduate Admissions
      • Graduate Inquiry Form
    • International Applicants
      • International Inquiry Form
      • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Visit
      • Utica University Campus
      • Virtual Tour
      • Why Not Fly?
    • Apply Now
    • Contact Us
    • Accepted Student Info
    • High School Counselors
    • High School Bridge Program
  • Community
    • Living on Campus
      • Res Life & Student Living
      • Student Involvement & Leadership
    • Wilcox Center
    • The Utica Area
      • Hotels and Restaurants in the Utica Area
    • Utica Stories
    • About Utica
  • Athletics
    • Intercollegiate Athletics
    • Esports
  • News & Events
  • Alumni
  • Giving
  • Apply Now
  • Directory
  • About
  • Library
  • Logins
Utica University

Convocation Ceremony at Utica University Marks Start of Academic Year

  1. Utica Community
  2. Utica Stories
  3. Convocation Ceremony at Utica University Marks Start of Academic Year
U.S. Army Lt. Colonel and Utica Alum Wendi O. Brown

Highly-Decorated U.S. Army Lt. Colonel, Utica Alum Wendi O. Brown to Keynote

Utica University will hold its Convocation ceremony on Friday, August 26, at 10:30 a.m. A time-honored tradition that brings the campus community together, the ceremony is marked by the tolling of the bell atop Bell Hall, while faculty members process through a walk leading to the Harold T. Clark Jr. Athletic Center, lined with Utica’s newest students.

This year’s keynote speaker is Lieutenant Colonel Wendi O. Brown, a 2020 graduate of Utica’s Master of Science in Cybersecurity with Specialization in Cyber Intelligence, a program endorsed by the U.S. Homeland Defense and the U.S. National Security Agency, while working at the U.S. Africa Command.

On her way to the top, Lieutenant Colonel Brown received various medals and awards for her outstanding efforts. As a captain working at the Pentagon for the Crisis Action Team after 9/11, she was awarded the Army Staff Identification Badge and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.  Having served two consecutive combat tours in Afghanistan spanning 18 months, she was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Non-Article 5 NATO Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, and the NATO ISAF Medal for Afghanistan Service.

Classes begin on Monday.

 

-Joshua Ward ‘24, PR Intern

More Stories

Grace VanEtten '26 and Professor Christopher Riddle
Student

The Ideal Co-Author

Grace VanEtten ’26 is handpicked by Professor Christopher A. Riddle to share authorship in prestigious bioethics journal
President Stephanie Nesbitt and members of the Utica University Community cut the ribbon on the new Cyber Range.
On Campus

Utica University Opens New State-of-the-Art Cyber Range

Utica University faculty and students, along with dignitaries and industry partners, marked the opening of the University’s new state-of-the-art Cyber...
MacArthur Public Relations
In the News

Women’s Sports Receive More Primetime Broadcast Olympic Coverage Than Men’s Sports For The Sixth Olympiad In A Row, Seventh Overall

Women’s sports received more coverage than men’s sports during NBC’s primetime television broadcast of the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympic Games,...
All Stories

I would like to see logins and resources for:

For a general list of frequently used logins, you can also visit our logins page.

Utica University Logo
FacebookTwitterInstagramYouTube
  • Academics
  • Tuition and Financial Aid
  • Admissions
  • Community
  • Athletics
1600 Burrstone Road, Utica, NY 13502
Map & Directions
(315) 792-3006
Contact Us
  • Institutional Effectiveness
  • Bookstore
  • Disability Learning Support
  • Student Right to Know
2025-2026 College of Distinction2025-2026 Private College of Distinction2025-2026 Business College of Distinction2025-2026 Education College of Distinction2025-2026 Nursing College of Distinction2025-2026 Career Development College of Distinction2025-2026 Equity & Inclusion College of Distinction2023-2024 Military Friendly (Silver)