Around the campus in Westwood, upcoming graduates are posing with friends in their fresh gowns and sashes. New this year is an emblem on the sash announcing that these graduates will be part of a special group in the annals of UCLA.
The classes of 2019 and 2020 hold the honor of being the centennial graduating classes at UCLA. The university's 100th birthday is being celebrated with a series of events and initiatives through the academic year ending in June 2020. The events kick off this weekend with Alumni Day, TedxUCLA and a public projection show on Royce Hall.
The 2019 commencement season officially begins on Friday, May 17 with the graduation ceremony for the UCLA School of Law. The commencement schedule continues with the David Geffen School of Medicine on May 31 and the School of Dentistry on June 2.
The majority of graduating students will receive their diplomas during the weekend that begins on Friday, June 14. The UCLA College will present the largest commencement ceremonies in Royce Hall at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on June 14. Dr. Anna Lee Fisher, the retired NASA astronaut who was the first mother to fly into space, will deliver the commencement address. Fisher holds three degrees from UCLA.
Professional schools and some academic departments will hold commencement ceremonies before and after the UCLA College event. See the UCLA Commencement page for schedules and the UCLA Newsroom release for scheduled speakers.