See UC Davis students celebrate their accomplishments at 2024 commencement ceremony
By José Luis Villegas
Thousands of UC Davis students received their degrees in two ceremonies on Friday at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento.
After three more ceremonies on Saturday and Sunday, the university will have minted a total of about 7,000 new graduates.
Astronaut José Hernández recorded a video address to be played at all five ceremonies, and Sacramento Kings coach Mike Brown taped a congratulatory message as well.
Despite a spring season full of pro-Palestine student protests across the nation, only a few students made visible references to the war in Gaza as they crossed the stage during the Friday afternoon commencement.
Aaron Kenneth Brown, left, Jackson Huston, center, and Mars Kelsey, right, celebrate as a friend receives a diploma during the 2024 UC Davis commencement ceremony on Friday at Golden 1 Center. José Luis Villegas jvillegas@sacbee.com
Marisabel Munoz Chavez waves to supporters sitting in the stands in the Golden 1 Center as the 2024 graduating class of UC Davis received their diplomas on Friday. José Luis Villegas jvillegas@sacbee.com
Malinalli Elizabeth Ortega makes the universal sign of love toward her family in the stands in the Golden 1 Center as the 2024 graduating class of UC Davis received their diplomas on Friday. José Luis Villegas jvillegas@sacbee.com
Summer Camporesi looks up at the big screen as images of the graduates crossing the stage are shown during the 2024 UC Davis commencement ceremony on Friday. José Luis Villegas jvillegas@sacbee.com
Graduating UC Davis student Summer Camporesi leans on the shoulder of her friend Sierra Jean Barthr during the schoo’s 2024 commencement ceremony on Friday. José Luis Villegas jvillegas@sacbee.com
Jimmy Tran, graduating with a degree in mechanical engineering, shows off a blue dragon on his shirt after his name is announced while he walks on stage to receive his diploma during the 2024 UC Davis commencement ceremony at Golden 1 Center on Friday. José Luis Villegas jvillegas@sacbee.com
Nahila Habib, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in human development and a minor in biological psychology, holds up a Palestine banner as she stands next to UC Davis Chancellor Gary May while crossing the stage to receive her diploma on Friday. José Luis Villegas jvillegas@sacbee.com
This story was originally published June 15, 2024 at 6:00 AM.
