Connections Helped Students Reach Commencement

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While UC Davis marked commencement in 2023 with celebrations on a bigger stage than ever, individual connections shone in the spotlight again and again.

As undergraduates turned tassels inside Golden 1 Center in Sacramento for the first time, as graduate and professional schools honored students becoming alumni, and as students participated in unique cultural, identity and heritage celebrations, thank-yous were given to the people who helped students finish degrees.

May: Go improve the world

Gregory Urquiaga/UC Davis

Chancellor Gary S. May highlighted the positive impact the new graduates will make.

“Find ways to give back to your community and make it even better, no matter what your calling is,” May said. “You come from so many backgrounds and will go on to make the world a better place in your unique way.”

It took a village

Gregory Urquiaga/UC Davis

Aggies were quick to acknowledge the people who helped them reach the finish line.

“I had a rough start,” said Tijan Zeinelabedein, an international relations major who recalled struggling with mental health issues throughout her undergraduate years. She said UC Davis counselors helped her make it to graduation. “Together we got me to this point. I really don’t think I would be here without them.”

Faculty join the celebration

Gregory Urquiaga/UC Davis

Faculty members were an integral part of each celebration, shaking hands and noisemakers alike to congratulate their former students.

“It was great to see all of the students celebrating their accomplishments,” Lucas R. Smith, an assistant professor of neurobiology, physiology and behavior (not pictured), wrote on Twitter afterward.

Richard Corsi, dean of the College of Engineering, said he was proud of his students: “We’ll be watching you do great things for society and the planet.”

Honoring family members

Karin Higgins/UC Davis

Family members were thanked for the vital role they played. Here, Leanna Theam is greeted after the Southeast Asian Graduation on campus. At a ceremony in Sacramento, student speaker Karen Nguyen told the crowd: “Our success is the result of the unwavering support and guidance from our loved ones, advisors and mentors. For me, while I'm proud to be standing here, I know my parents and grandparents who immigrated from Vietnam are even more proud to be sitting in this arena.”

Students shine at 10 celebrations

Gregory Urquiaga/UC Davis

Celebrations on campus honored students’ unique experiences.

“The Black community at UC Davis is incredibly strong and united, and the amount of love and support that I have received from my fellow Black peers is the reason why I stand here with you all today,” said Veneese Brown (not pictured), who received a Ph.D. in integrative pathobiology and spoke at Black Graduation. There she received a standing ovation while sharing a story of how she overcame racial bias during her studies.

Chicanx/Latinx students say thanks

Karin Higgins/UC Davis

More than 300 grads were honored in a dedication book for the Chicanx/Latinx Graduation Celebration, and many shared messages for their family and friends.

“My name may be on the degree, but it wouldn’t be there without the sacrifices that you both have made to ensure the best life for me,” Marina Balcazar, who graduated with a master’s in civil engineering, wrote to her parents.

Native students celebrate

Gregory Urquiaga/UC Davis

The Native American Academic Student Success Center celebrated the more than 20 students honored at the Native American Graduation Celebration, co-hosted by the Native American Retention Initiative and Native American Studies.

“You should be proud of all you have accomplished,” the center, also known as the Native Nest, said on Facebook. “These last few years have not been easy. However, you worked hard and accomplished your goals. We cannot wait to see what the future holds for you.”

Support from all sides

Gregory Urquiaga/UC Davis

Chancellor May encouraged the new grads to think about the number of people pulling for them to succeed in life.

“Graduates, let’s take this moment to bask in our UC Davis community,” he said at Golden 1 Center. “Here you are, sitting side-by-side with your friends, with your families and loved ones beaming from the audience, and with the full support and pride of UC Davis faculty, staff and alumni behind you.”

Connections Helped Students Reach Commencement

While UC Davis marked commencement in 2023 with celebrations on a bigger stage than ever, individual connections shone in the spotlight again and again.

As undergraduates turned tassels inside Golden 1 Center in Sacramento for the first time, as graduate and professional schools honored students becoming alumni, and as students participated in unique cultural, identity and heritage celebrations, thank-yous were given to the people who helped students finish degrees.

Chancellor Gary S. May highlighted the positive impact the new graduates will make.

“Find ways to give back to your community and make it even better, no matter what your calling is,” May said. “You come from so many backgrounds and will go on to make the world a better place in your unique way.”

Aggies were quick to acknowledge the people who helped them reach the finish line.

“I had a rough start,” said Tijan Zeinelabedein, an international relations major who recalled struggling with mental health issues throughout her undergraduate years. She said UC Davis counselors helped her make it to graduation. “Together we got me to this point. I really don’t think I would be here without them.”

Faculty members were an integral part of each celebration, shaking hands and noisemakers alike to congratulate their former students.

“It was great to see all of the students celebrating their accomplishments,” Lucas R. Smith, an assistant professor of neurobiology, physiology and behavior (not pictured), wrote on Twitter afterward.

Richard Corsi, dean of the College of Engineering, said he was proud of his students: “We’ll be watching you do great things for society and the planet.”

Family members were thanked for the vital role they played. Here, Leanna Theam is greeted after the Southeast Asian Graduation on campus. At a ceremony in Sacramento, student speaker Karen Nguyen told the crowd: “Our success is the result of the unwavering support and guidance from our loved ones, advisors and mentors. For me, while I'm proud to be standing here, I know my parents and grandparents who immigrated from Vietnam are even more proud to be sitting in this arena.”

Celebrations on campus honored students’ unique experiences.

“The Black community at UC Davis is incredibly strong and united, and the amount of love and support that I have received from my fellow Black peers is the reason why I stand here with you all today,” said Veneese Brown (not pictured), who received a Ph.D. in integrative pathobiology and spoke at Black Graduation. There she received a standing ovation while sharing a story of how she overcame racial bias during her studies.

More than 300 grads were honored in a dedication book for the Chicanx/Latinx Graduation Celebration, and many shared messages for their family and friends.

“My name may be on the degree, but it wouldn’t be there without the sacrifices that you both have made to ensure the best life for me,” Marina Balcazar, who graduated with a master’s in civil engineering, wrote to her parents.

The Native American Academic Student Success Center celebrated the more than 20 students honored at the Native American Graduation Celebration, co-hosted by the Native American Retention Initiative and Native American Studies.

“You should be proud of all you have accomplished,” the center, also known as the Native Nest, said on Facebook. “These last few years have not been easy. However, you worked hard and accomplished your goals. We cannot wait to see what the future holds for you.”

Chancellor May encouraged the new grads to think about the number of people pulling for them to succeed in life.

“Graduates, let’s take this moment to bask in our UC Davis community,” he said at Golden 1 Center. “Here you are, sitting side-by-side with your friends, with your families and loved ones beaming from the audience, and with the full support and pride of UC Davis faculty, staff and alumni behind you.”