UC San Diego held more than a dozen commencement ceremonies on June 17 and 18, recognizing the accomplishments of more than 9,000 graduates. Captured in this slideshow are the smiles, cheers, tears and hugs as graduates showed off their creative cap designs, received applause as they crossed the stage at their college ceremony and rejoiced with family and friends. Photos by Erik Jepsen, UC San Diego
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Triton Soccer scholar-athletes celebrate following the All Campus Commencement, tossing one team member in the air in excitement at the end of the ceremony.
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Friends embrace in a group hug following Marshall College's Commencement, reveling in the great moments they had and what comes next.
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All Campus Commencement keynote speaker UC Regent John A. Pérez had several pieces of advice for graduating students: be open to many different pathways, learn how to negotiate, find a way around impediments—and take them down as you pass by so others don’t have to face them, and know that you have more latitude to make mistakes on the big things than the little.
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Triton pride was strong during the special celebration, evidenced here as a student holds up a pennant during All Campus Commencement.
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UC Regent John A. Pérez, keynote speaker at All Campus Commencement shared his own story with graduates as an activist and then politician, emphasizing that each person has the power to make change, whether they are an elected official or not.
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Graduates got creative with their mortarboard designs, many offering thanks to their biggest supporters and expressing their excitement about finishing their degree.
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Student Commencement Speaker Letzy Vargas reminded her peers that, "...sometimes we fail in order to succeed, that progress is never linear and detours are just a different way to get to where we want to go. What matters is the effort you make to get back up and keep pushing.”
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Chancellor Pradeep K. Khosla shared what it was like to take a leap of faith when he first traveled from India to the U.S. to pursue graduate studies. His advice for students is to take measured risks as a means to transformation.
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More than 5,000 students attended All Campus Commencement, an opportunity for graduates from all levels and academic fields to celebrate together and hear words of wisdom from a prominent keynote speaker.
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Following All Campus Commencement, caps were flying in the air in jubilation, a mix of pride for completing their degree and excitement about what comes next.
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In the first row of graduates, a moment of love was captured as two students formed a heart with their hands during All Campus Commencement.
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Raccoons are sometimes spotted on campus, and students have developed a fondness for them. One student decorated their cap with a raccoon holding a Trident.
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Graduates jumped for joy, securing a memorable moment following Muir College's Commencement ceremony.
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It's never too early to start thinking about college! This future Triton donned a miniature cap and gown for the festivities.
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After students crossed the stage and received their individual recognition at the Revelle College commencement ceremony, graduates hurried to find each other on RIMAC Field for hugs, photos and congratulations.
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Thousands of graduates attended All Campus Commencement to hear words of wisdom from featured speakers. Among the themes presented were the prevalence of failure on the path to success, the importance of being open to many personal and professional transformations throughout their lives and embracing measured risk as a means to growth.
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Family and friends arrived with bouquets of flowers, colorful leis, posters with words of encouragement—even custom-made hats and t-shirts that honor their graduate.
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Commencement is a family affair. Graduates had the opportunity to gather in front of several UC San Diego banners to capture photos on their big day.
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You may have seen students layered with multiple satin stoles. Graduates could represent their college, school, first-generation status and cultural identity as they marked an important chapter in their academic career.
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Graduates from each of the seven undergraduate colleges had the chance to be recognized individually on stage; students from Revelle College also received a yellow rose in celebration.
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Commencement is also a special time for family and friends who helped support their graduate during triumphs and challenges throughout their college journey.
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The Stuart Collection's "Fallen Star" sculpture by Do Ho Suh remains a favorite among students, several of whom created miniature versions that sat atop their cap the same way that the structure hovers on the edge of the Jacobs School of Engineering building.
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Commencement is a time for graduates to come together with friends they made in classes, rejoicing together in all that they have accomplished.
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Graduates were all smiles as they honored individual and collective achievements at the Eleanor Roosevelt College commencement ceremony.
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A graduate raises their floral bouquet into the air in triumph, surrounded by family and friends following the Marshall College commencement ceremony.
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Provost of Thurgood Marshall College Leslie Carver offers a hug of congratulations to a graduate as they pose for a photo.
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As the sun set after the Eleanor Roosevelt College commencement ceremony, students cheered with excitement at the formal completion of their degree, a long-awaited moment after years of studying.
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Graduate at the Revelle College commencement ceremony was showered in gifts following their graduation, from teddy bears to floral leis.
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Following the formal conferral of degrees, graduates from the Marshall College commencement ceremony cheered with glee.
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