Commencement Content

UC Davis Student Graduates After More Than 47 Years

Julia Ann Easley — June 10, 2025 - 10:23am

Editor’s note: Commencements require tickets for admission. For a media credential, contact Julia Ann Easley in advance at jaeasley@ucdavis.edu.

Deborah Thompson Austin of UC Davis’ alumni association will instruct hundreds of undergraduates to move the tassel on their graduation cap from left to right at Sacramento’s Golden 1 Center Saturday morning.

Student Speakers at UC Davis Commencements To Reflect on Journeys, Look Forward

Julia Ann Easley — June 09, 2025 - 5:18pm

Editor’s note: Commencements require tickets for admission. To attend, contact Julia Ann Easley in advance at jaeasley@ucdavis.edu.

Shanlea “Sen” Tabofunda of Cupertino, California, set a goal for their first year at the University of California, Davis: learning to ride a bike without using their hands.

Top UC Davis Graduate Aims To Transform Experience of Aging

Julia Ann Easley — June 03, 2025 - 4:46pm

Only on annual visits to India was Avantika Gokulnatha able to help care for her now late grandfather as his health failed. But the San Jose resident endeavored to help others near her.

Gokulnatha did just that as she studied biological sciences and researched aging at the University of California, Davis. She volunteered with a local hospice, revived a student organization to help seniors with technology, and led other undergraduate volunteers at a clinic providing free medical care to uninsured and marginalized people.

Faculty Speakers Named for Undergraduate Commencements

Julia Ann Easley — May 27, 2025 - 12:20pm

The faculty members selected to speak to thousands of graduating students and guests at the five undergraduate commencements at Sacramento’s Golden 1 Center in June exemplify the best in teaching.

Together, they are contributing to excellence in the field and have won awards for teaching from their academic departments, their colleges, the Academic Senate, UC Davis as a whole and beyond.

The speakers, listed in the chronological order of the ceremonies, are:

California Supreme Court Justice First Guest Speaker at UC Davis Spring Commencements

Julia Ann Easley — May 13, 2025 - 10:31am

California Supreme Court Associate Justice Kelli M. Evans will be the first guest speaker at the commencements of the University of California, Davis, as its School of Law leads off the spring graduation season Friday.

Other guest speakers named to date are Diana E. Ramos, California’s surgeon general, at the School of Medicine commencement Saturday; and Sundeep Dugar, a leader in the pharmaceutical industry, at the two Graduate Studies ceremonies June 12.

This Time, Graduation To Be Real for UC Davis Student

Julia Ann Easley — December 09, 2024 - 2:35pm

Emmanuel “Manny” Garcia Pereida of Oakland wore a UC Davis cap and gown with a stole identifying him as a first-generation college graduate. His name sounded over the arena’s speakers. He crossed the stage and shook hands with the chancellor. His family cheered.

Volunteer To Be a Commencement Ambassador

Julie Ling Huang — October 29, 2024 - 5:30pm

To ensure that Fall Commencement on Dec. 14 runs smoothly, organizers are inviting staff members to participate as commencement ambassadors and serve in a variety of capacities.

Ambassadors are needed to support graduates, guests, faculty and the stage party to ensure that commencement is a positive experience for everyone.

Fall Commencement will be held at the University Credit Union Center on campus.

CHANCELL-ING: Planting Roots in Davis After Graduation

Cody Kitaura — August 02, 2024 - 11:01am

Two months ago, I had the honor of shaking more than 7,000 hands at UC Davis' commencement ceremonies. It's when we celebrate our graduates' successes and recognize how much the world benefits from their bright minds and compassionate hearts.

Faculty Share Thoughts on Speaking at Commencement

Julia Ann Easley — June 11, 2024 - 9:00am

Debbie Fetter read the emailed invitation and couldn’t contain her joy.

“I literally yelled and immediately called my husband,” she said.

Fictional Adventure in Egypt To Become Reality for Top UC Davis Graduate

Julia Ann Easley — June 11, 2024 - 9:00am

One of the books in the “Magic Tree House” series for children takes a brother and sister to the Egyptian pyramids.

Brooke Morey of Redwood City, California, was 8 when she joined the characters on that adventure and read the book’s nonfiction companion about the pyramids and mummies. “I was just hooked.”

Then and there she resolved to become an Egyptologist. “Every decision I’ve made in regard to my academic career has been with that in mind.”