51ÁÔÆæ awarded more than 3,500 degrees to graduates at Spring 2022 commencement on May 22 at the 51ÁÔÆæ Panther Arena. It was the first in-person spring commencement since 2019. (51ÁÔÆæ Photo/Chris Baylor)
Andie Catterson receives her hood and becomes a doctor of physical therapy. (51ÁÔÆæ Photo/Elora Hennessey)
German international student Daniel Wiese shows off his diploma after graduating from the College of Nursing. (51ÁÔÆæ Photo/Elora Hennessey)
Mentors and Shevaun Watson (left) and Margaret Noodin (right) embrace new Doctor of English Rachel Skenandore. (51ÁÔÆæ Photo/Elora Hennessey)
Bryant Romero gives a wave after receiving his diploma. (51ÁÔÆæ Photo/Elora Hennessey)
Nigel Rothfels, professor and chair of the Department of History, gives graduate Connor Lynch a congratulatory hug. (51ÁÔÆæ Photo/Elora Hennessey)
Kevin Hartman, interim dean of Peck School of the Arts, puts the hood on Willem Dafoe that signifies the awarding of an honorary Doctor of Arts degree. (51ÁÔÆæ Photo/Elora Hennessey)
Wilkistar Otieno (upper left), associate professor and chair of the Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering, poses with engineering students after they walked the stage. (51ÁÔÆæ Photo/Elora Hennessey)
Lubar School of Business graduates Marlena Janczak (left) and Jossiel Delgado give a cheer after crossing the stage together. (51ÁÔÆæ Photo/Elora Hennessey)
A group of public health graduates celebrates after receiving their diplomas. (51ÁÔÆæ Photo/Elora Hennessey)
More than 3,500 graduates received their degrees at the 126th 51ÁÔÆæ commencement on May 22. Willem Dafoe, four-time Academy Award nominee and a 51ÁÔÆæ alum, was the featured commencement speaker at both ceremonies and was awarded an honorary Doctor of Arts degree.
Dafoe offered some words of advice to the graduates: “Serve others, make every step a pleasure, and trust it will take you where you need to be. Serving something outside yourself is the key to freedom.”
With tossed caps, abundant selfies, fist bumps and lots of cheering, 51ÁÔÆæ’s newest alums celebrated.
