Photo highlights: 2012 Fall Commencement

Brittney Haselwood and Theresa Broniak (right) decorated their mortarboards with a seasonal theme for graduate commencement. Both students received their master's degrees in biomedical engineering.

Mark Lussier, president of the University Senate and chair of the University Academic Council, places the university ceremonial mace at the beginning of commencement.

Rich Myers, chair of the Arizona Board of Regents, addresses the graduates.

More than 1,300 graduate students had their degrees conferred by President Michael Crow.

Kathryn Eaton is "hooded" by her mentor, professor Mary Jo Bitner. Eaton received her doctorate in business administration from the W. P. Carey School of Business.

Rachel Satter and her mentor, Richard Kinnier, enjoy the balloon drop at the end of graduate commencement. Satter received her doctorate in counseling psychology.

Thomas Brougher has his second lieutenant's bars pinned on by his father, Keith Brougher, during the Navy ROTC commissioning ceremony.

Second lieutenant Thomas Brougher is hugged by his daughter Zoe, 5. Brougher came to ASU as an active duty sergeant in the Marine Corps and completed his course of study in two years, earning his commission as a Marine officer.

More than 4,700 undergraduates filled the seats at Wells Fargo Arena at ASU, Dec. 20, to receive their degrees.

The gonfalon for the Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College leads the procession into the arena – a historic nod to ASU's previous identity as the Tempe Normal School.

Kim Pearson, who received her bachelor's degree from the School of Sustainability, with an emphasis in sustainable economics, was honored at the undergraduate ceremony. She graduated Summa Cum Laude with a 3.91 GPA and will be an intern with the Arizona State Senate, researching and presenting bills to legislators. Read more about Pearson's story: https://asunews.asu.edu/20121211_commencement_graduate_pearson

New graduate Christopher Guidry received special recognition for completing his bachelor's degree in liberal studies via the School of Letters and Sciences. In 2008, after his time with the Air National Guard ended, Guidry decided to pursue a bachelor's degree, taking a rigorous course load and completing his degree in just three and a half years. Read more about Guidry's story: https://asunews.asu.edu/20121203_Guidry

Susan Szakal, of the New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences, is greeted onstage by ASU President Michael Crow. She is one of 14 Moeur scholars, an award that is presented to the graduates with the highest academic standing.

Standing out from the traditional mortarboards, a graduate from the Del E. Webb School of Construction sports a celebratory hardhat.

Undergraduates from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences place their tassels to the left side, an indication that they are now graduates.

Bella Hansen-Purnell, who received her degree from the College of Public Programs, celebrates graduation with her friends and colleagues.

Sustainability graduates (left to right) Kaitlin Simanson, Ryan Winkle and Alexis Veno save memories with a photo while waiting for the School of Sustainability convocation at Gammage Auditorium.

School of Sustainability graduates receive congratulations from family and friends outside Gammage Auditorium after convocation ceremonies.

The ASU aviation hanger was an appropriate venue for graduates of the College of Technology and Innovation's Aeronautical Management Technology program to receive their diplomas as they held their first convocation on the Polytechnic campus.

Ginger Coats, a graduate of the New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences, adjusts her decorated mortarboard prior to the convocation on ASU's West campus.

Graduates of the New College make their way to Fletcher Lawn for the fall convocation.

The Sun Devil Battalion Color Guard presents the colors, as the Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony platform parties arrive for the ceremony in front of Old Main.

Mila Gregory has his second lieutenant's bars pinned on by Kazue Gregory (left) and Danielle Gregory during the Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony. Mila, a Distinguished Military Graduate representing the top 10 percent of his class, graduates from ASU with a degree in history and will serve in the Field Artillery.

Participants in the American Indian Convocation await the beginning of the ceremony. Lamont Yazzie (second from right), a doctoral graduate in the Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College, delivered the keynote address.

Crystal Ivey, a master's graduate from the Teachers College, delivered the invocation. More than 130 American Indian students received their degrees this fall.

Graduates of the College of Nursing and Healthcare Innovation cross Van Buren Street during their procession from the Downtown Phoenix campus to their convocation in the Phoenix Convention Center.

Danielle Layton waves to friends before the Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College Convocation begins.

Jessie Ocampo's decorated mortarboard shows off both her pride in ASU and her heritage, as the political science major waits the beginning of the Hispanic Convocation.

Carlitos Hernandez salutes the audience after receiving his diploma. Hernandez was the recipient of both the Outstanding Student Award and the Chicano/Latino Faculty and Staff Association Award during the Hispanic Convocation ceremony.

Reshawna Chapple gets some help with arranging her doctoral hood from Fatimah Halim (left) and Willis Pierson, in preparation for the Blacks and African Convocation. Chapple finished her work for a doctorate in justice studies, while Pierson had just received his master's in public administration. Halim would conduct the traditional passage ceremony during the convocation.

Mathew Bagioli receives a big hug from his mom, Carole McDonnell, following the convocation at the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law.