In addition to the main undergraduate and graduate commencements, and more than 15 college-specific convocations, Arizona State University hosted seven special-interest convocations this past week. These ceremonies honor important parts of students' identities and are a special part of the week of celebrations.
Here are photos from those seven special-interest convocations, plus the reunion and induction ceremony for the Golden Grads, the annual event where the ASU Alumni Association recognizes grads from 50 years ago.
Veterans Honor Stole Ceremony
Saturday, May 7
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Behavioral sciences doctoral graduate and Air Force veteran Mary Young makes her way toward Desert Financial Arena before the start of the Veterans Honor Stole Ceremony, held May 7 in Tempe.
Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU
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Navy veterans march toward Desert Financial Arena on Saturday morning as part of the Veterans Honor Stole Ceremony organized by the Pat Tillman Veterans Center. Each service branch was led in as a group.
Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU
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H.R. McMaster gives the keynote address during Arizona State University's Veterans Honor Stole Ceremony for the spring 2022 semester, held May 7 in Tempe. Read more about his speech and the rest of the ceremony here.
Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU
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Army veteran Monique Gorman receives her stole onstage.
Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU
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Marine Corps veteran Devon Cristales (left) gets a fist bump from Mark Davis after receiving his stole Saturday morning.
Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU
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Army veteran Tae "Dan" Chong receives his stole. At 74 years old, Chong earned his master's degree in teaching English as a second language. Learn more about his story at ABC15's website.
Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU
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From left: Jordan Perez, Vilma Cantu, Justine Cano and Megan Ritzert stand for the Air Force military song.
Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU
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Army veteran Naji Obaid receives his stole during the Veterans Honor Stole Ceremony on Saturday.
Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU
International Student Stole Ceremony
Saturday, May 7
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Master's of finance graduates (from left) Yi-Chun Lu, Sz-Yu Liu and Chun-Yu Lin — all from Taiwan — put on their caps as they get ready for the International Student Convocation on May 7 in the Student Pavilion. Around 200 baccalaureate, master's and doctoral graduates attended the ceremony and received their light blue cords.
Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU News
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Eishah Assiri (left), a master's graduate in interior architecture from Saudi Arabia, and others go through final preparations before the International Student Convocation.
Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU News
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Graduates wait in their final staging area before proceeding into the International Student Convocation.
Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU News
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Holly Singh, the assistant vice president in Academic Enterprise Enrollment who oversees the International Students and Scholars Center, watches graduates enter the room for the ceremony.
Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU News
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Lisa Joyner, dean of students on the Downtown Phoenix campus, places a cord over a graduate's shoulders during the ceremony Saturday.
Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU News
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Undergraduate student speaker Eunisse Chua addresses the International Student Convocation. Chua, who is from Malaysia, earned bachelor's degrees in biological sciences, psychology and global health.
Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU News
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Roberto Apud gives his daughter, Monse Apud, a warm congratulatory hug after the International Student Convocation. Monse earned a bachelor's degree in journalism and mass communication and plans to continue her studies at Thunderbird School of Global Management with a master's in global management. The Apuds are from Mexico.
Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU News
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Attendees of the International Student Convocation pose for a group photo after the ceremony at the Student Pavilion.
Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU News
Rainbow Convocation
Tuesday, May 10
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Student speaker Leo Cevallos talks about his metamorphosis from an incoming first-year student four years ago into a graduating senior to the more than 60 graduates being recognized for their achievements at the Rainbow Convocation on May 10 at the Student Pavilion. Cevallos earned a bachelor's degree in applied biological sciences and plans to apply to medical school.
Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU News
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West campus Dean of Students Kendra Hunter places a rainbow cord on Moeur Award student Theresa DeConcini on May 10 at the Student Pavilion. DeConcini is the granddaughter of the former Arizona senator and earned her degree in global studies; she plans to continue at ASU to get her master's degree in sustainability.
Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU News
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Colorful cords wait to be handed out to graduating students at the Rainbow Convocation.
Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU News
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Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions Lecturer and trapese artist Anne Kotleba offers personal stories during the Rainbow Convocation. The event honors the accomplishments of the university’s LGBTQIA+ students’ pursuit of higher education, and the faculty and staff supporting them.
Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU News
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West campus Dean Kendra Hunter presents Ryn Orr after giving them with the rainbow cord Tuesday at the Student Pavilion on the Tempe campus. Orr studied environmental science and environmental and resource management.
Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU News
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Devika Dileep, a master's graduate in biomedical engineering, is greeted by her friend Arya Bindu in the lobby of the Student Pavilion after the Rainbow Convocation.
Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU News
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Criminal justice master's graduate Malika Spencer poses with her friends Mary Bankhead (left) and Kendria Rendon after the Rainbow Convocation. Bankhead is a sorority sister at Sigma Gamma Rho and works at ASU in the Center for Bio-mediated and Bio-inspired Geotechnics. Rendon is a student at Grand Canyon University.
Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU News
Golden Grads reunion
Tuesday, May 10
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Michael Clupper looks through yearbooks at the Golden Grads gathering Tuesday, May 10, at Old Main on the Tempe campus. Clupper, who played defensive back for Coach Frank Kush from 1968–71, would go on to make the first interception in Fiesta Bowl history. He also played on ASU’s 1970 Peach Bowl-winning team.
Photo by Tim Trumble
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At the reception, a then-and-now poster shows how ASU and Tempe have changed since 1972. The event also featured tables full of memorabilia from the Golden Grads' time.
Photo by Tim Trumble
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Louis Olivos and Richard Krug pose for a selfie. Olivas helped start the Hispanic Convocation and even hosted the first ones from his home.
Photo by Tim Trumble
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Harry Jones, Sandra Hicks and their fellow Class of 1972 alumni are robed and ready for the final event of the reunion, the Golden Circle induction ceremony.
Photo by Tim Trumble
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Members of the Golden Circle receive candlelight from previous Golden Circle members from the classes of 1970 and 1971, representing sharing the light of knowledge gained during each person's time at ASU and knowledge gained throughout the years since graduating. The newest Golden Grads then shared their candle flames with the graduates present from the Class of 2022.
Photo by Tim Trumble
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Barbara Barrett celebrates alongside Barrett, The Honors College graduates Samantha Sabarra and Rebecca Sturm. Barrett, one of the namesakes of ASU's honors college, earned bachelor’s, master’s and law degrees from ASU and went on to distinguish herself in a range of roles, including serving as ambassador to Finland and secretary of the Air Force.
Photo by Tim Trumble
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Jim Shaughnessy, who played halfback under Coach Kush from 1967 to 1969, speaks with Aaron Valenzuela Salazar during the ceremony. New graduates from the Alumni Association's Leadership Scholarship Program were included in the ceremony and symbolized 50 years of new growth, knowledge and progression.
Photo by Tim Trumble
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Christine Wilkinson (left), the president and CEO of the ASU Alumni Association, poses for a photo with Craig and Barbara Barrett at the Tuesday Golden Grad reunion. The Barretts are longtime supporters of the university, and Barbara Barrett carried the gonfalon to lead the Golden Grads into Monday's Undergraduate Commencement at Sun Devil Stadium.
Photo by Tim Trumble
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Golden Grads from the Class of 1972 on the steps of Old Main in Tempe on Tuesday, May 10.
Photo by Tim Trumble
Asian/Asian Pacific American Convocation
Wednesday, May 11
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Stoles made with colorful floral fabrics wait to be given to about 75 bachelor's, master's and doctoral students at the Asian/Asian Pacific American Convocation on May 11 at the Memorial Union on the Tempe campus.
Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU News
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A familiar face: Army veteran Tae Chong, who also took part in the Veterans Stole Ceremony on Saturday, sits with other new graduates at the Asian/Asian Pacific American Convocation on Wednesday. Chong, at 74 one of the oldest graduates this spring, earned his master's degree in teaching English to speakers of other languages.
Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU News
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Associate Professor Tamiko Azuma, who is also assistant dean of undergraduate education in the College of Health Solutions, serves as faculty speaker at the event. She spoke of reinventing herself as she approached each new academic stage of her education.
Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU News
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Graphic information technology graduate Maria Manaog serves as student speaker at the Asian/Asian Pacific American Convocation.
Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU News
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Digital photography graduate Brian Robinson poses with Vice President of Student Services Joanne Vogel at the Asian/Asian Pacific American Convocation.
Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU News
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Biological sciences graduate Sahara Rahman receives her stole from Polytechnic campus Dean of Students Lance Harrop at the Wednesday convocation.
Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU News
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Speech and hearing science graduate Alex Darmawaskita crosses the stage to receive his stole at the Asian/Asian Pacific American Convocation on May 11.
Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU News
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Lienna Tieu (left) and Kayling Allen, along with other graduating students, flash their pitchforks during a group picture outside the Memorial Union after the Asian/Asian Pacific American Convocation. Tieu earned her undergraduate degree in informatics and will soon head to Seattle for work. Allen earned her bachelor's in biomedical science and plans to apply to dental school.
Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU News
American Indian Convocation
Wednesday, May 11
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Moeur Award and Dukepoo Award recipient Tierra Franklin gets a little adjustment with her stoles from her aunt Gabriella Clitso, 2008 alumna, before the American Indian Convocation on Wednesday, May 11, at ASU Gammage. Franklin, of the Navajo Nation, earned her degree in art and animation.
Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU News
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Raquel Lynn Manuelito (left) and Brandi Youvella use one of the open dressing rooms at ASU Gammage to make final adjustments before the American Indian Convocation. Manuelito, of the Navajo Nation, earned her bachelor's degree in dance education. Youvella, of both the Navajo and Hopi tribes, earned her bachelor's degree in English literature.
Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU News
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More than 150 students from more than 20 tribal nations take part in the processional at the American Indian Convocation on May 11 at ASU Gammage.
Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU News
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Cante Zephier, Miss Indigenous ASU '22-'23, offers the opening blessing at the American Indian Convocation.
Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU News
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Former Arizona Board of Regents member LuAnn Leonard, the executive director of the Hopi Education Endowment Fund, speaks at the convocation.
Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU News
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Gila River Indian Community Gov. Stephen Roe Lewis places a stole on the shoulders of Blaine Burnette, a member of the White Mountain Apache tribe. Burnette earned his bachelor's degree in mathematics (statistics) and a minor in economics, and he delivered the graduate address at the American Indian Convocation.
Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU News
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Construction management PhD recipient Brianne Arviso stands as she recieves the graduate students' Eagle Sprit Award.
Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU News
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DeAndre Sellers receives his stole. The Navajo Nation scholar earned his bachelor's degree in software engineering.
Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU News
Black African Convocation
Thursday, May 12
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Each graduate in attendance at the Black African Convocation on Thursday, May 12, receives an honor stole. More than 150 new graduates took part in the ceremony at ASU Gammage.
Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU News
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Frahat Ali delivers one of the student addresses at the Black African Convocation on Thursday. She received bachelor's degrees in political science as well as women and gender studies.
Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU News
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School of Social Transformation Assistant Professor Mako Ward delivers the faculty address Thursday.
Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU News
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William Eummer crosses the stage with verve to pick up his honor stole at the Black African Convocation at the ASU Gammage.
Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU News
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Inez Staples smiles as she dances across the stage Thursday to receive her stole. She earned her bachelor's degree in forensic science.
Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU News
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Raggadrum members Poendaza Santiel (left) and Arouna Diarra perform at the convocation. Raggadrum is a local African drumming group.
Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU News
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Randy Essikpe, of Ghana, waves to his family and friends as he crosses the stage. He earned his master's degree in biomedical engineering.
Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU News
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Yahselah Thompson, who earned her bachelor's degree in global health, brings a bit of Black girl magic to the stage during Thursday's Black African Convocation.
Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU News
Hispanic Convocation
Friday, May 13
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Graduates walk to the entrance of the Hispanic Convocation at Desert Financial Arena on Friday evening, May 13, in Tempe.
Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU
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Human systems engineering graduate Jocelyn Martinez waves to family as she gets ready to head to the stage during Hispanic Convocation.
Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU
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Dancers perform at the start of the event at Desert Financial Arena on May 13.
Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU
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Local musical group Brown Boyz performs during the Hispanic Convocation.
Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU
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ABC 15 and Telemundo anchors Nicole Gutierrez (left) and Octavio Pulido Nevarez address attendees during the Hispanic Convocation.
Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU
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Social work graduate Erick Manuel Mena Bustamante dances across the stage during Hispanic Convocation.
Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU
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From left: Social work graduate Lizbeth Duran, political science graduate Isabel Gonazlez and political science graduate Karen Santos chat after they walk off stage together during the Hispanic Convocation.
Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU
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Nursing graduate Gia Quintero cheers on stage during Hispanic Convocation on May 13.
Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU
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Graduates exit Desert Financial Arena following Hispanic Convocation on May 13.
Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU
Top image: Army veterans march toward Desert Financial Arena as part of the Veterans Honor Stole Ceremony organized by the Pat Tillman Veterans Center on Saturday morning, May 7, in Tempe. Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU
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