To Degree Candidates:
Congratulations on reaching this wonderful milestone! Today is a moment to celebrate and connect with fellow classmates, families and loved ones, and feel the support from our entire UC Davis family.
When you came to UC Davis, you joined a community that’s driven to make the world a better place. You understood that academics are paramount, and you discovered that the college experience is about so much more. You learned to outgrow the expected, to exceed what’s needed and to do what’s just. And you did it all during some of the most challenging times in recent history.
UC Davis has prepared you well for your next chapter. This campus thrives on a commitment to excellence, and our faculty sets the bar high for students. You not only met that bar, but you pushed beyond. Wherever life takes you — or wherever you take life — remember this is just the beginning of your journey.
You’ll find members of our Aggie family all around the world, and I encourage you to make use of this valuable network and remain connected with our campus.
I hope you leave UC Davis with cherished memories to last a lifetime. I encourage you to keep close our values of excellence and openness to diverse perspectives and new ideas. Now is the time to grow forth and imagine what’s possible, to consider how you will make an impact and contribute to the public good.
The world is waiting for you. Go Ags!
Best regards,
Gary S. May
Chancellor
“Remember to use your knowledge and powers for good. Every day, try to learn something new, help someone and make the world a better place.”
Video Keynote Speaker
June 14 - 16
José Hernández
Former NASA Astronaut and UC Regent
President and CEO of Tierra Luna Engineering
Hernández was born in French Camp, just south of Stockton, and spent much of his childhood tending fields from Southern California to the Central Valley. Hernández didn’t learn to speak English until he was 12, but knew he wanted to be an astronaut the moment he heard a radio broadcast announcing NASA’s first Hispanic astronaut.
He would go on to graduate with a bachelor’s degree from the University of the Pacific before earning a master’s at UC Santa Barbara.
He spent 16 years at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, and co-developed the first full-field digital mammography imaging system.
He joined NASA in 2001 and after 11 rejections, was selected to its astronaut class in 2004. Five years later, he flew to the International Space Station as flight engineer and performed robotic operations aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery, which turned 40 years old this month. He was also the first person to ever Tweet in Spanish from space.
After leaving NASA, Hernández ran unsuccessfully for Congress in 2012. He now serves as president and CEO of Tierra Luna Engineering, an aerospace consulting firm.
Congratulatory Video Message
June 14-16
Mike Brown
Head Coach
NBA's Sacramento Kings
In his first season as head coach of the Kings, Brown guided Sacramento to the seventh-best record in the NBA and helped the Kings secure the third seed in the Western Conference. For his efforts, Brown became the first coach to be unanimously voted NBA Coach of the Year. With more than 30 years of NBA coaching experience, Brown has won four NBA championships as an assistant coach. In November 2020, Brown coached the Nigeria men’s national basketball team in the International Basketball Federation, or FIBA, qualifiers in Rwanda and in August 2021, the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. He also served as a coach for the NBA’s Basketball Without Borders Africa 2023, which brought together 80 boys and girls from 25 African countries. Brown is a graduate of the University of San Diego.
Faculty Speakers
Friday, June 14 at 9:00 a.m.
Jay Stachowicz, Ph.D.
Professor, Evolution and Ecology
College of Biological Sciences
Friday, June 14 at 2:00 p.m.
Debbie Fetter, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Teaching, Nutrition
College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences
Saturday, June 15 at 9:00 a.m.
Colleen Bronner, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Teaching, Civil and Environmental Engineering
Vice Chair for Undergraduate Studies
College of Engineering
Saturday, June 15 at 2:00 p.m.
Russ Hovey, Ph.D.
Processor, Animal Science
College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences
Sunday, June 16 at 9:00 a.m.
Janine Wilson, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Teaching and Economics
Undergraduate Chair, Economics
College of Letters and Science
Student Speakers
Friday, June 14 at 9:00 a.m.
Nishi Bhagat
Bachelor of Science in cognitive science—computational emphasis with a minor in computer science
Friday, June 14 at 2 p.m.
Laicee Brown
Bachelor of Arts in sociology with an emphasis in social services
Saturday, June 15 at 9 a.m.
Jesse Goodman
Bachelor of Arts in economics, minor in technology management.
Saturday, June 15 at 2 p.m.
Sonora Slater
Bachelor of Science in managerial economics with a minor in professional writing
Sunday, June 16 at 9:00 a.m.
Caroline Williams
Bachelor of Science in human development—children and families across the lifespan specialization
About the student speaker selection
Graduating students apply to speak at commencement by submitting a draft speech and a video demonstrating their presentation style. A 14-member committee of faculty, staff and students selects the speakers after finalists present their speeches in person.