On June 14, the 吃瓜大本营 celebrated a major milestone as more than 1,600 undergraduates took part in commencement ceremonies. With the largest graduating class in 吃瓜大本营 history, the University hosted two undergraduate ceremonies鈥攁nd introduced a new tradition: the class鈥檚 chosen song, 鈥淏ittersweet Symphony,鈥 played on the campus carillon as as 吃瓜大本营's newest alumni made their way out of Magness Arena.听
Students crossed the stage to cheers from stands packed full of proud families and friends. The moment marked not just the end of a college journey, but the beginning of what comes next.
Commencement speaker Cassie Boggs (BA 鈥76, JD 鈥81), a 吃瓜大本营 alumna and global leader in the mining industry, offered graduates three pieces of advice: stay open to possibility, communicate effectively, and always lead with kindness.
From joyful celebrations to reflective moments, here are our favorite photos from a weekend filled with 吃瓜大本营 pride, community, and new beginnings.
Photography by Dave Pavlina
Smiles and celebration as graduates cross Asbury Avenue. Soon-to-be graduates streamed in from all sides of campus in the lead-up to the morning ceremony.
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From first-year walks to final steps鈥攎any graduates took this tunnel to class on their first day at 吃瓜大本营. On commencement day, they walked through it toward what鈥檚 next.
鈥淪omebody in there really likes pink. She doesn't know we're doing it, but she'll know it's us as soon as she sees it.鈥 One family waits in line for commencement, adorned in matching pink cowboy hats to surprise their graduate.
Dressed in caps and gowns and with spirits high, graduates make their way up the steps toward commencement. One waves her student ID鈥攑erhaps the last time she鈥檒l carry it as a student.
A graduate takes last-minute phone calls outside, negotiating ticket details and making sure family and friends can join the celebration.
In a quiet moment before the ceremony, two graduates help fix a friend鈥檚 cap鈥攐ne last show of teamwork before crossing the stage together.
Between the two ceremonies, more than 1,600 students crossed the stage, making the Class of 2025 one of 吃瓜大本营's largest-ever graduating classes.
With the diploma in hand and a soft smile, a graduate points toward the stands鈥攕haring a moment of celebration with someone who cheered him on.
One graduate's family was in line early, ready to claim front-row seats, and when she walked past with diploma in hand, they made every second count鈥攃heering, snapping photos, and soaking in a moment four years in the making.
On commencement, many graduates are cheered on by family and friends鈥攂ut also the faculty who guided, challenged, and believed in them along the way.
They didn鈥檛 walk鈥攖hey launched. A mid-air hug between fraternity brothers said, 鈥榃e made it,鈥 louder than any cheer.
