The University of Arizona expects its largest turnout yet for its main graduation ceremony Friday night.
The event, its 161st commencement ceremony, begins at 7:30 p.m. on May 16 at Arizona Stadium.
About 5,000 graduates and 34,000 guests are expected to attend, which would make it the largest attendance number in UA history, said Mitch Zak, a university spokesman.
About 34,000 people are expected to fill Arizona Stadium Friday to watch about 5,000 UA students graduate.
UA President Suresh Garimella will confer 9,000 bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, and professional degrees, four honorary degrees and will present seven student awards, Zak said.
The ceremony will start out with the U.S. national anthem, a greeting in Spanish and an acknowledgement that the university is on former Native American land; that statement no longer includes the words “committed to diversity and inclusion,” which the UA deleted in February after the Trump administration’s orders to end DEIA (diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility) programs and efforts.
This will be followed by remarks from an Arizona regent, presentation of student awards and an alumni achievement award, and the commencement address.
The University of Arizona’s 161st commencement ceremony will be held Friday at Arizona Stadium.
The commencement speaker is Erik Weihenmayer, the first blind person to summit Mount Everest and also the Seven Summits, the highest peaks on each continent. He was born with a rare eye disease and began losing his vision at age 14.
“As a blind climber, I have lived a life that no venture capitalist would have put money on, but I have been so lucky to have been a part of great teams, innovating through barriers and shattering people’s perceptions of what is possible,” Weihenmayer said in a UA news release about graduation.
“One of my greatest rewards is to be able to share a message of possibility, especially with young people as they shape the vision that will be the foundation for their lives.”
Photos: University of Arizona commencement, 2024
New graduate Brooke Doris gets cell phone video of the grand finale fireworks over Arizona Stadium at the commencement ceremonies at the University of Arizona Friday night. Doris was among the estimated 4,700 graduates who attended the school’s 160th commencement where some 8,000 degrees were awarded.
Two graduates pose for a selfie with Wilbur before the start of the 160th University of Arizona Commencement, Arizona Stadium, May 10, 2024. University of Arizona president Robert C. Robbins conferred about 8,000 degrees during the 2024 commencement.
Students head out to the field at Arizona Stadium as the gates open for commencement ceremonies at the University of Arizona Friday. An estimated 33,000 were in attendance for the ceremonies.
Graduate Emma Kageyama, left, moves in for a hug from friend Esther Lopez while fellow graduate Jessica Shaffer embraces Madison Sosa from the west stands at Arizona Stadium prior to the start of commencement ceremonies at the University of Arizona Friday night.
Graduates celebrate during the 160th University of Arizona Commencement finale at Arizona Stadium, May 10, 2024.
Madison Niffenegger sorts her cords while getting dressed for commencement ceremonies at the University of Arizona, May 10, 2024, Tucson, Az.
A College of Public Health graduate stands to be recognized during the 160th University of Arizona Commencement at Arizona Stadium, May 10, 2024.
Graduates embrace during the 160th University of Arizona Commencement finale at Arizona Stadium, May 10, 2024.
Esperanza Ries, left, gets lots of help from friends Amber Cole and Belen Muro in adjusting her mortarboard before commencement ceremonies at the University of Arizona, May 10, 2024, Tucson, Az.
New graduates dance to the music during the finale of commencement ceremonies at the University of Arizona, May 10, 2024, Tucson, Az.
Loved ones begin to fill the stands before the 160th University of Arizona Commencement at Arizona Stadium, May 10, 2024.
Graduates celebrate during the 160th University of Arizona Commencement finale at Arizona Stadium, May 10, 2024.
Yuda Viguie Santini, a Eller College of Management graduate points to the stands while she talks to her family on the phone before the 160th University of Arizona Commencement, Arizona Stadium, May 10, 2024.
New grad Alejandro Soto Orozco hugs his mom, Mercedes Orozco as families get a chance to congratulate their students following commencement ceremonies at the University of Arizona, May 10, 2024, Tucson, Az.
Graduates dance around Arizona Stadium during the 160th University of Arizona Commencement finale, May 10, 2024.
Chloe Finch, left, helps Casidy Chan get her haku lei/lei po’o fitted to her hat as the two get ready to go through the commencement ceremonies at the University of Arizona Friday.
Alysa Burgos switches to a pair of more comfortable shoes, brought to her by her husband, during commencement ceremonies at the University of Arizona, May 10, 2024, Tucson, Az. It took the two 40 minutes to connect for the shoe switch.
Colette Gonzalez stakes out her seat early, nearly the only one in her section on the turf at Arizona Stadium in the early stages of commencement ceremonies at the University of Arizona, May 10, 2024, Tucson, Az.
Graduates embrace during the 160th University of Arizona Commencement finale at Arizona Stadium, May 10, 2024.
Amairamy Moreno wears a graduation cap decorated with photos of loved ones for the 160th University of Arizona Commencement at Arizona Stadium, May 10, 2024.
Grad Ford Braun has a quiet moment with his mom Lisa Lilak as the students start to get settled in for commencement ceremonies at the University of Arizona Friday.
Craig T. Nelson, an Emmy Award-winning actor, writer, producer, and University of Arizona alum is the 2024 commencement speaker, Arizona Stadium, May 10, 2024.
An Eller College of Management graduate points to a friend seated in a different row during the 160th University of Arizona Commencement finale at Arizona Stadium, May 10, 2024.
A group of soon-to-be graduates flock to the opportunity to get photos with Wilma and Wilbur before the start of commencement ceremonies at the University of Arizona, May 10, 2024, Tucson, Az.
A grad stands for the playing of the national anthem as the night’s commencement ceremonies get into full swing at the University of Arizona, May 10, 2024, Tucson, Az.
Graduates Meisya Nurahmasari, left, and Devi Rani get video as they dance to Dynamite being played over the Arizona Stadium speakers at commencement ceremonies at the University of Arizona Friday night.
A pair of happy grads celebrate the announcement of their school’s degrees being awarded for commencement ceremonies at the University of Arizona, May 10, 2024, Tucson, Az.
Michelle Munguia, left, a College of Humanities graduate dances with her friend Kassi Sreerama, a College of Engineering graduate before the 160th University of Arizona Commencement at Arizona Stadium, May 10, 2024.
A grad with a lighted decoration on her mortarboard watches the commencement ceremonies at the University of Arizona, May 10, 2024, Tucson, Az.
A grad jumps up to celebrate the awarding of her degree at commencement ceremonies at the University of Arizona, May 10, 2024, Tucson, Az.
Graduates cry together after the conclusion of the 160th University of Arizona Commencement at Arizona Stadium, May 10, 2024.
Eller College of Management grads celebrate the announcement of their degrees being awarded at commencement ceremonies at the University of Arizona, May 10, 2024, Tucson, Az.
A graduate turns his attention to the big screen during the 160th University of Arizona Commencement at Arizona Stadium, May 10, 2024.
Marisol Zucker, left, hugs her daughter Jennifer Zucker, a College of Social and Behavioral Sciences graduate before the 160th University of Arizona Commencement at Arizona Stadium, May 10, 2024.
Graduates dance, laugh and look at the big screen during the 160th University of Arizona Commencement finale at Arizona Stadium, May 10, 2024.
New grads toss their mortarboards into the air following commencement ceremonies at the University of Arizona, May 10, 2024, Tucson, Az.
Graduates cry together after the conclusion of the 160th University of Arizona Commencement at Arizona Stadium, May 10, 2024.
Graduates dance shortly after being awarded their degrees at commencement ceremonies at the University of Arizona, May 10, 2024, Tucson, Az.
Joellen Russell, the Thomas R. Brown Distinguished Chair of Integrative Science and Geosciences professor speaks during the 160th University of Arizona Commencement pre-show, Arizona Stadium, May 10, 2024.
Graduates dance, laugh and sing during the 160th University of Arizona Commencement finale at Arizona Stadium, May 10, 2024.
College of Science graduates embrace during their portion of the 160th University of Arizona Commencement at Arizona Stadium, May 10, 2024.
