2015 commencement in photos
The joy, the excitement, the personalized caps — look through all the ASU December graduation fun
Chilly, overcast weather greeted this year's December graduates — but the clouds didn't put a damper on the happy smiles and tears as several thousand students celebrated achieving their degrees.
Scroll through photos from all of this week's convocations and commencement ceremonies, and find a video below highlighting some of Arizona State University's outstanding graduate students. Check back during the week for more photos from all the events.
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Graduates line up for the procession of flags before the start of fall commencement at the Thunderbird School of Global Management in Glendale on Friday, Dec. 11.
Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
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Marissa Burkett holds the U.S. flag before before the start of the Thunderbird commencement Dec. 11.
Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
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Master of Science graduate Carlos Melendez Moreno adjusts his cap before the Thunderbird ceremony.
Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
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Graduates perform the procession of flags at Thunderbird.
Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
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Families line up for photos of their loved ones during Thunderbird's convocation Friday morning.
Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
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MBA graduate Peter Porr gives a few notes about his native Brazil during the procession of flags at the Thunderbird convocation Friday morning.
Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
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Graduate Calvin Burns laughs with his family after his graduation at the Thunderbird School of Global Management convocation in Glendale.
Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
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Graduate Astrid Henao poses for a photo with her family after graduating from the Global Master of Business Administration program at Thunderbird School of Global Management on Dec. 11.
Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
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Students rush in to avoid rain during the ASU Undergraduate Commencement at Wells Fargo Arena on Monday, Dec. 14, in Tempe.
Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
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Beau Bock adjusts his U.S. Army veterans stole before entering Wells Fargo Arena for the ASU Undergraduate Commencement ceremony Monday morning. Bock is earning a bachelor's degree in technology entrepreneurship from the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering.
Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU Now
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Latrice Simmons gives her graduating great-nephew Reggie Randle a big hug before the start of the Undergraduate Commencement at Wells Fargo Arena.
Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
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ASU President Michael Crow addresses the audience at the Undergraduate Commencement ceremony Dec. 14 in Tempe.
Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU Now
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Marissa Anderson celebrates during the Undergraduate Commencement. She is receiving a degree in organizational leadership from the College of Letters and Sciences.
Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU Now
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Derek Loche takes in the celebration after the Undergraduate Commencement ceremony Dec. 14. Loche earned BAs in psychology and philosophy through the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU Now
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New graduates expressed a number of sentiments on their caps.
Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
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Jessica Hyne wants help celebrating her BS in exercise and wellness at the Undergraduate Commencement ceremony Monday.
Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU Now
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Tianna Szczesniak honors her new marriage during the Undergraduate Commencement ceremony. She is receiving a BS in health policy.
Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU Now
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For Amy Jamieson, a communication major in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, earning a degree is very much a family affair.
Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
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Electrical engineering graduate Elizabeth Besenyei cheers as she is announced as graduating summa cum laude during the Undergraduate Commencement at Wells Fargo Arena.
Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
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Scott Grissom (right) and others in the College of Letters and Sciences celebrate after being declared graduates during the Undergraduate Commencement ceremony. Grissom now holds a BA in organizational leadership.
Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU Now
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Collin Nevitt tries to hold onto his cap after getting hit by balloons after the ASU Undergraduate Commencement ceremony. Nevitt earned a BA in exercise and wellness.
Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU Now
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Sally Rajcevich gives her daughter/graduating nurse Kathryn Rajcevich a hug after the Undergraduate Commencement on Dec. 14 in Tempe.
Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
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Cody Murata gets a lei from his sister Mina Murata after the Undergraduate Commencement ceremony. Cody Murata, originally from Hawaii, earned his BS in construction management from the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering.
Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU Now
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Professors carry gonfalons from the colleges and schools at the Arizona State University Graduate Commencement ceremony at Wells Fargo Arena, Monday, Dec. 14, 2015.
Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU Now
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Grand Marshal Brenday Hosley delivers the mace to begin the Arizona State University Graduate Commencement ceremony at Wells Fargo Arena, Monday, Dec. 14, 2015.
Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU Now
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ASU President Michael Crow congratulates a doctoral candidate at the Arizona State University Graduate Commencement ceremony at Wells Fargo Arena, Monday, Dec. 14, 2015.
Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU Now
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Lesley Manson takes videos for two of her PhD candidates at the ASU Graduate Commencement Ceremony at Wells Fargo Arena, Monday, Dec. 14, 2015. She is a clinical assistant professor in the College of Health Solutions.
Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU Now
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When she was 19, Wendy Boring-Bray made a name tag and figurine. Several years later, she attached them to her tassel as she's finally receiving a Ph.D. at the Arizona State University Graduate Commencement ceremony at Wells Fargo Arena, Monday, Dec. 14, 2015. Her degree is in behavioral health.
Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU Now
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The "real" Dr. Wendy Boring-Bray, center, and Christine Presson, right, celebrate being conferred their doctorates. The two earned their PhDs in behavior health. Dr. Lesley Mason, left, a clinical assistant professor in the College of Health Solutions placed the hoods on Boring-Bray and Presson.
Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU Now
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Hassan Alahdal waves to family and friends after picking up his diploma case at the Arizona State University Graduate Commencement ceremony at Wells Fargo Arena, Monday, Dec. 14, 2015. He earned his master's in urban planning.
Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU Now
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Newly conferred master's and doctorate grads leave Wells Fargo Arena following the Arizona State University Graduate Commencement ceremony at Wells Fargo Arena, Monday, Dec. 14, 2015.
Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU Now
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Puneet Bajwa gets a congratulatory kiss from her mother, Tejinder Bajwa, following the Arizona State University Graduate Commencement at Wells Fargo Arena, Monday, Dec. 14, 2015. Puneet earned an MS in Computer Engineering. She and her family are from India.
Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU Now
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Graduates receive a run down on how to proceed during the Barrett, the Honors College Convocation at the Nelson Fine Arts Center during the afternoon of Monday, Dec. 14, 2015.
Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
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Madeline Averi Cordray (center) waits for the Barrett, the Honors College Convocation to begin at the Nelson Fine Arts Center, Monday, Dec. 14, 2015.
Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
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Outstanding graduate Kaitlyn Fitzgerald wears her mortar board with a shout out to Changemaker Central at ASU during the Barrett, the Honors College Convocation at the Nelson Fine Arts Center Dec. 14, 2015.
Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
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Barbara Barrett gives a speech during the Barrett, the Honors College Convocation at the Nelson Fine Arts Center on Dec. 14, 2015. Barrett is the owner of Triple Creek Ranch and Chairman of the Board for the Aerospace Corporation.
Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
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Mark Jacobs, dean of Barrett, the Honors College, presents diplomas during the college's convocation at the Nelson Fine Arts Center on Dec. 14, 2015.
Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
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Musical theater faculty Toby Yatso gives his graduating student Megan Moylan a hug on stage on one knee to reach the petit graduate during the Barrett, the Honors College Convocation at the Nelson Fine Arts Center on Dec. 14, 2015.
Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
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Accounting major Krista Moller shows of her mortar board following the Barrett, the Honors College Convocation at the Nelson Fine Arts Center on Dec. 14, 2015.
Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
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Nursing major Claire Magdaleno has a cheeky mortar board at the Barrett Honors College Convocation at the Nelson Fine Arts Center on Dec. 14, 2015.
Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
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Madeline Averi Cordray receives a hug from her grandfather David Dehart following the Barrett, the Honors College Convocation at the Nelson Fine Arts Center on Dec. 14, 2015.
Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
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Finance major Esther Adusei laughs as she gets a hug from her father Evans Adusei following the Barrett Honors College Convocation at the Nelson Fine Arts Center on Dec. 14, 2015.
Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
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Yasmin Moore, left, and her friend and biological sciences graduate Shima Shiehzadegan pose for a selfie following the Barrett, the Honors College Convocation at the Nelson Fine Arts Center on Dec. 14, 2015.
Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
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Communication undergraduate Gregorio Ramos has a photograph of his son Roman on his mortar board during the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Convocation at Wells Fargo Arena Tuesday morning on Dec. 15, 2015.
Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
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Family and Human development Venus Gist , center right, waves at her family during the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Convocation at Wells Fargo Arena Tuesday morning on Dec. 15, 2015.
Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
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Families cheer for their graduates during the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Convocation at Wells Fargo Arena Tuesday morning on Dec. 15, 2015.
Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
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Philosophy undergraduate Rachel Klausner gives shout out to Jay-Z with her mortar board during the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Convocation at Wells Fargo Arena Tuesday morning on Dec. 15, 2015.
Photo Courtesy
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Justin DeLeon gives his wife, sociology bachelors graduate Lakeysha DeLeon, a kiss following the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Convocation at Wells Fargo Arena Tuesday morning on Dec. 15, 2015.
Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
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Bachelor's graduate in religious studies Melissa Jordan gives her son Gregory Petersen a hug as she tears up following the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Convocation at Wells Fargo Arena Tuesday morning on Dec. 15, 2015. Her son started kindergarten when she began her undergraduate degree and her son has attended many of her classes.
Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
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From left to right: Professor of psychology Mary Davis and Nadia Breidenbach make their way to Wells Fargo Arena for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences convocation Tuesday morning on Dec. 15, 2015.
Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
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Sociology undergraduate and Army veteran Jennifer Tarroza gets herself prepared for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences convocation at Wells Fargo Arena Tuesday morning on Dec. 15, 2015.
Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
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Students and their friends and famies fill Wells Fargo Arena for Arizona State University's W. P. Carey School of Business Convocation ceremony, Monday, Dec. 14, 2015. Nearly 1,100 business students earned their bachelor's, master's or doctorate degrees.
Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU Now
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Kaitlyn Fitzgerald, the Turken Family Award winner for the Outstanding Graduating Senior, addresses the W. P. Carey School of Business Convocation ceremony at Wells Fargo Arena, Monday, Dec. 14, 2015.
Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU Now
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Professor Greg Veramendi, right, stands at the front of the reception line congratulating the graduates at the Arizona State University's W. P. Carey School of Business Convocation ceremony at Wells Fargo Arena, Monday, December 14, 2015.
Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU Now
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W. P. Carey School of Business Dean Amy Hillman congratulates the graduates during the Convocation ceremony at Wells Fargo Arena, Monday, December 14, 2015.
Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU Now
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Balloons and streamers fly following the Arizona State University's W. P. Carey School of Business Convocation ceremony at Wells Fargo Arena, Monday, December 14, 2015.
Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU Now
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Graduates at the Veteran's Stole Ceremony take a group picture to commerate the event outside Old Main on the Tempe campus, Saturday, Dec. 12.
Photo by Brian Bossert
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Three veterns celebrate, showing their Sun Devil forks before the Veterans Stole Reception in the Carson Ballroom at Old Main on the Tempe campus, Saturday, Dec. 12.
Photo by Brian Bossert
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Graduates sit and wait for the calling of their names during the School of Sustainability Convocation at the Evelyn Smith Music Theater in the Music Building on the Tempe campus, Tuesday, Dec. 15.
Photo by Andy DeLisle
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A graduate receives her dipoloma during the School of Sustainability Convocation held at the Evelyn Smith Music Theater in the Music Building on the Tempe campus, Tuesday, Dec. 15.
Photo by Andy DeLisle
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Bachelor's music therapy graduate Bethany Platt adjusts her mortar board and tassel following the Herberger Institute of Design and the Arts Convocation at ASU Gammage Tuesday afternoon on Dec. 15.
Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
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Bachelor's graduate Robbie Berger holds his son Orion Berger with his degree following the Herberger Institute of Design and the Arts Convocation.
Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
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Graduates arrive for the Herberger Institute of Design and the Arts Convocation at ASU Gammage Tuesday afternoon.
Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
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Master's students smile as they receive their turn at the Herberger Institute of Design and the Arts convocation at ASU Gammage Tuesday afternoon on Dec. 15.
Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
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Bachelor's graduate in art studies Jena Herrmann gets a hug from her boyfriend, Steven Porter, following the Herberger Institute of Design and the Arts Convocation at ASU Gammage Tuesday afternoon on Dec. 15, 2015.
Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
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Graduates walk down 3rd Street to start the College of Nursing and Health Innovation Convocation at the Phoenix Convention Center, Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2015. The ceremony begins with the traditional processional parade from the Nursing and Health Innovation buildings to the convention center.
Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU Now
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College of Nursing and Health Innovation Dean Teri Pope addresses the convocation at the Phoenix Convention Center.
Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU Now
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Newly conferred PhD nurse scientist Kenneth Oja addresses the College of Nursing and Health Innovation Convocation ceremony Dec. 15.
Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU Now
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Dr. Kimberly Vana congratulates recent graduates at the Arizona State University's College of Nursing and Health Innovation Convocation ceremony at the Phoenix Convention Center, Tuesday, Dec 15.
Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU Now
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Health sciences graduate Jalaya Alexander shows off her mortar board before the start of the College of Health Solutions Convocation at Wells Fargo Arena Wednesday morning on Dec. 16.
Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
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College of Health Solutions Dean Keith Lindor gives his remarks during convocation at Wells Fargo Arena Wednesday morning on Dec. 16.
Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
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Graduates smile as they get ready to exit following the College of Health Solutions Convocation at Wells Fargo Arena Wednesday morning on Dec. 16.
Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
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Behavioral health doctorate graduate Mechelle Jungsten has her hood adjusted by fellow doctorate graduate Wendy Boring-Bray before the start of the College of Health Solutions Convocation Dec. 16.
Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
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A graduate throws up the pitchfork following the College of Health Solutions Convocation at Wells Fargo Arena Wednesday morning.
Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
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Honor Soluri carries the gonfalon to start the processional for the New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences Convocation on the West campus, Tuesday, Dec. 15. Tradition says one enters the Paley gates as a first-day freshman, then not again until graduation.
Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU Now
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Tania Altamirano hugs the Paley gates before going through Arizona State University's New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences Convocation ceremony on the West campus' Fletcher Lawn, Tuesday, Dec. 15. Altamirano earned a BA in communication from the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences.
Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU Now
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New College graduates applaud Dean Marlene Tromp's address during the New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences Convocation on the West campus' Fletcher Lawn, Tuesday, Dec. 15.
Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU Now
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Jessica Noel Ortega celebrates on the podium at the New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences Convocation Dec. 15. She earned a BA in Communications.
Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU Now
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ASU quarterback Mike Bercovici (right center) smiles as he chats with Michael Mokwa (right), Tillman professor in the W. P. Carey School of Business and associate director of sports business and law before the start of the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law Convocation at the Memorial Union Wednesday afternoon on Dec. 16.
Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
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The Lodestar Foundation Chairman and ASU alumnus Jerry Hirsch gives the convocation address during the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law Convocation at the Memorial Union on Dec. 16.
Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
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Graduate Sumiah Mohammed S Alharbi is hooded during the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law Convocation at the Memorial Union Dec. 16.
Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
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Graduate and student speaker Lee Green shows off her Wonder Woman shirt below her robes following the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law Convocation at the Memorial Union on Dec. 16. The mother of seven was happy to finally finish her degree.
Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
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Graduate and student speaker Lee Green gets teary eyed as she hugs her husband Kenneth Green following the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law Convocation Dec. 16. The mother of seven, who was was happy to finally finish her degree, was hugging and thanking her family and friends.
Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
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Caroline Addington carries the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering banner to start the convocation ceremony. Addington, who earned her PhD in biomedical engineering, was honored with the Dean’s Dissertation Award for her work in neural tissue engineering. After graduation she will pursue post-doctoral research at ASU.
Photographer Jessica Hochreiter/ASU Fulton Engineering Graduate
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The outstanding and distinguished graduates representing each degree program in the Fulton Schools celebrate on stage. These students have contributed to the university through their efforts in activities such as research, mentoring, service to others and leadership on student engineering projects and competition.
Photographer Hayden Taylor/ASU Fulton Engineering
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PhD student Sudhanshu Shekhar Singh, who received his Doctor of Philosophy in Material Science and Engineering, poses proudly with his graduate mentor, professor Nik Chawla. Of the 1,075 fall graduates, 426 earned graduate degrees and 77 received doctoral degrees.
Photographer Jessica Hochreiter/ASU Fulton Engineering
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Senior Associate Dean James Collofello officially kicks off the festivities with the placing of the ceremonial light saber, a long-standing tradition in the Fulton Schools.
Photographer Jessica Hochreiter/ASU Fulton Engineering
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School namesake Ira A. Fulton congratulates Sarah Zipp, the distinguished graduate from the human systems engineering program. Zipp is a third-generation Sun Devil following in the footsteps of her grandmother, aunt, uncle, mom and brother. Fulton maintains a strong presence at ASU, attending events and interacting with students throughout the year.
Photographer Jessica Hochreiter/ASU Fulton Engineering
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Student speaker Samantha Janko addresses the more than 1,075 new graduates of the Fulton Schools of Engineering. Janko, who started at community college at 14, was named the Outstanding Graduate in the engineering and manufacturing engineering program in the Polytechnic School.
Photographer Jessica Hochreiter/ASU Fulton Engineering
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Jessica Verdugo (center) wipes a smudge off of Janelle Cazares, as Kimberly Ann Sams watches, before the start of the Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College Convocation at Wells Fargo Arena, Wednesday, Dec. 16. All three students earned Bachelor of Arts in Education degrees in special education and elementary education.
Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU Now
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Morgan Reddig (left) warms the hands of Nicole Nieto Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College Convocation on Dec. 16. Both women earned their Bachelor of Arts in Education in early childhood and early childhood special education.
Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU Now
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A large picture of Mary Lou Fulton stands next to the podium at the Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College Convocation at Wells Fargo Arena, Wednesday, Dec. 16. The ceremony was bitter sweet, in that the college's namesake passed away two-and-a-half months ago, on Oct. 1, 2015.
Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU Now
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Wendy Umbrianna, ASU alumna and the oldest grandaughter of Ira A. Fulton and Mary Lou Fulton, speaks at the Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College Convocation at Wells Fargo Arena, Dec. 16.
Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU Now
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Bonnie Miller celebrates receiving her diploma cover at the Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College Convocation. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Education degree in secondary education
Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU Now
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Mari Koerner, dean of the Teachers College accompanies Ira A. Fulton from the Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College Convocation at Wells Fargo Arena, Dec. 16.
Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU Now
Find more student profiles here.
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