On May 8, Arizona State University will launch a new group of aspiring professionals ready to take on the world as graduates during spring commencements. More than 20,000 degrees will be conferred to students from a variety of disciplines, such as anthropology, biomimicry, linguistics, neuroscience and more.
Where are they coming from?
Students come from all over the world to attend ASU, which had a 59% increase in international students since May 2022. According to the Office of the University Provost, students enrolled at ASU represent more than 158 countries.
Digital immersion students are also up. ASU Online has more than 300 degree programs to offer prospective students, and the university has seen an increase of 5% in ASU Online students this semester. More than 6,000 online students having applied to graduate this spring.
The university has seen a 22% increase in students pursuing on-campus graduate degrees. ASU has 14 of the top graduate programs in the nation, according to recent U.S. News & World Report ranking, including a master's in homeland security, which is ranked No. 1 for the second year in a row.
READ MORE: Spotlighting ASU's notable grads for spring 2023
Big festivities and big names
This year’s graduation ceremonies will take place May 6–12, with the main undergraduate and graduate commencements on May 8.
The graduate ceremony will take place at 9 a.m. May 8 at Desert Financial Arena. Veteran broadcast journalist Judy Woodruff, the senior correspondent for “PBS NewsHour,” will give the graduate commencement address. Woodruff has covered politics and other news for more than four decades at CNN, NBC and PBS.
The undergraduate ceremony will take place at 7:30 p.m. May 8 at Sun Devil Stadium, and U.S. Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy will deliver the keynote address. Murthy has served in his current role for two administrations — first as the 19th surgeon general of the United States under President Barack Obama and currently as the 21st, under President Joe Biden. As the vice admiral of the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, Murthy commands a uniformed service of over 6,000 dedicated public health officers.
Both speakers will receive honorary degrees.
READ MORE: Surgeon general, veteran broadcast journalist to speak at ASU's spring 2023 commencement
Know before you go
Nearly 30,000 guests are expected to attend the the graduate and undergraduate commencement ceremonies, according to Melissa Goitia Werner, executive director in the Office of University Events and Protocol, who has planned and executed commencement ceremonies for nearly 25 years.
The university also hosts several special interest and college convocations throughout the week. Learn more about all of ASU's convocations.
ASU has a clear bag policy at venues. Attendees can also carry in clear, factory-sealed bottles of water (51 oz./1.5 liters or smaller) and empty plastic sports bottles to use at water stations. It is recommended to arrive early to allow for parking, walking and seating.
Get more tips on what you should know before you go and visit the commencement FAQs for additional information.
More resources
• Find backgrounds, social media filters and more on the virtual graduation toolkit page.
• Learn how how to dress for graduation.
• Find out the history and the meaning behind the regalia of ASU's commencement.
Top photo: Master's degree in accountancy graduates Hana Kim, from Seoul, South Korea, and Reneez Ho, from Los Angeles, pose for graduation pictures on Thursday, April 13, by the 2023 monument in front of Old Main on the Tempe campus. Photo by Charlie Leight/Arizona State University.
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