The University of Washington 1961 Convocation, celebrating the 100th year of UW history, was held on Thursday, November 16, 1961 in Edmundson Pavilion. The main address was given by President John Kennedy and other notable speakers were Governor Albert D. Rosellini, Charles Odegaard, and Archbishop Thomas Connolly. Everyone associated with the university were given a half day to attend the event or to listen to it in another way. The event was covered on television and on radio since over 52,000 people tried to reserve tickets in the 10,000 seat pavilion. In total, the event staff planned it to cost between $7,500 and $12,000.

The Convocation was not limited to the events of the day alone. Publications about the University’s history were set to be published, guides to walking paths and trails through the university grounds were distributed, and the “Centennial Center”, a collection of art, photos, and memorabilia, was set up in Henny Gallery and Suzzallo. A press room was set up in the pavilion’s visiting team’s locker room. Everything someone would need for the event was organized to be sold in the bookstore.

As the capstone for the centennial celebration, the convocation brought many people to the university’s campus. The centennial celebrations began, however, with an alumni banquet back in February of the same year.