Highlights from UCR’s 72nd Commencement

UC Riverside concluded its 72nd Commencement season on June 16, with UCR’s Class of 2026 walking at eight discipline- or degree-based ceremonies.

About 6,016 graduates, 35,176 in-person guests, 57,500 online streamers, and about 375 event ambassadors participated in the ceremonies, which started on June 5.

Highlanders belonging to specific groups also took part in additional micro-celebrations organized by campus partners, including the University Honors Cording and year-end recognitions hosted by UCR’s Student Resource Centers.

Ceremonies began with a video compilation of student experiences, a graduate procession to “Pomp and Circumstance,” a faculty and staff procession led by UCR’s Pipe Band, the Star-Spangled Banner, and a Native American land acknowledgment. Next were intros by deans, a welcome from Chancellor S. Jack Hu, words from elected student speakers, the reading of graduate names, tassel turning, the singing of UCR’s Alma Mater, “Hail Fair UCR,” and finally, a recessional. Special guests included UCOP Student Regent Miguel Craven and UCOP Regent Lark Park — along with UCR’s mascot Scotty the Bear, who mingled with the guests.

This year’s ceremonies were the first for Chancellor Hu, who took office in summer 2025 and was inaugurated as UCR’s new chancellor in winter 2026. UCR’s class of 2026 diplomas were the first to feature Hu's signature.

Watch all ceremony recordings at commencement.ucr.edu.

▶️ Press play to watch the recap video

Commencement Speakers:

College of Engineering: Christopher S. Lynch (dean); Iman Abuhijleh (student speaker); Joshua Rojas (tassel turner)
College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences: Daryle Williams (dean); Antriana Bigiazian and Angel Corona (student speakers); and Briana Trujillo, Alyssa Marie Quinones, Anahita Hooshyari Far, and Brandon Edward Rodgers Balikbayani-Déníran (tassel turners)
College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences: Peter W. Atkinson (dean); Samantha Lee Arenas, Julia Maxeen Africa Martin, and Rebecca Santos (national anthem singers); Samantha Grace Guli (student speaker); Jennifer Kamholz (alma mater singer); and Leila Haider (tassel turner)
Graduate Division Hooding: Lidia Kos (vice provost and dean) and Jordan Steinhauser (student speaker)
School of Business: Yunzeng Wang (dean); Austin Bauman and Srivani Kollu (student speakers); and Shayla Michel (tassel turner)
School of Education: Joi A. Spencer (dean); Cordell Jones (student speaker); and Holly Lin (tassel turner)
School of Medicine: Dr. Deborah Deas (dean); Dr. Zayan Musa (student speaker); California Surgeon General, Dr. Diana Ramos (keynote); and Dr. Pablo Joo (Hippocratic Oath)
School of Public Policy: Mark Long (dean), Rachel Strausman (student speaker), Katie Chau (tassel turner)