Photos: 162nd Commencement at the University of Arizona
More than 5,000 grads and 30,000 guests turned out and 10,000 degrees were handed out at the 162nd Commencement ceremonies at the University of Arizona, May 15, 2026, Tucson, Ariz.
New graduates grab video of the grand finale of fireworks as the 162nd Commencement for the University of Arizona wraps up, Tucson, Ariz., May 15, 2026. Approximately 5,500 on the field and 30.000 guests in the stands turned out for the ceremonies, where some 10,000 degrees were conferred.
Graduate Karlee Bellamy gets some relief as her friend Hailey Lawrence comes to the rescue with a portable fan from the stands for the 162nd Commencement at the University of Arizona, Tucson, Ariz., May 15, 2026. Temperatures were in the high 90’s at the start of the night’s ceremony.
Daniela McMurray gets a kiss from fiancé Gavin Menta as the two meet over the railings in the moments before the start of the 162nd Commencement at the University of Arizona, Tucson, Ariz., May 15, 2026.
A grad gestures and yells to the stage at commencement speaker Eric Schmidt for the 162nd Commencement at the University of Arizona, Tucson, Ariz., May 15, 2026. Several student organizations had earlier demanded Schmidt be removed as the night’s speaker due to allegations of against him. Schmidt was booed and heckled for almost the entirety of his speech.
Emeral Norzagaray gets help with her hair and hat from cousins Linette Smiley, left, and Mariah Castorena for the 162nd Commencement at the University of Arizona, Tucson, Ariz., May 15, 2026.
Jacquelyn Duarte tearfully watches the wrap-up video as the 162nd Commencement winds down at the University of Arizona, Tucson, Ariz., May 15, 2026.
A grad mugs for a photo from the crowd of thousands of Wildcats waiting for their degrees for the 162nd Commencement at the University of Arizona, Tucson, Ariz., May 15, 2026.
A grad from the college of education gets excited as her degree is conferred for the 162nd Commencement at the University of Arizona, Tucson, Ariz., May 15, 2026.
A new grad from the college of medicine celebrates her degree for the 162nd Commencement at the University of Arizona, Tucson, Ariz., May 15, 2026.
Sebastian Armenta and dozens of others watch the show from the end zone turf, part of the overspill of grads taking in the 162nd Commencement ceremonies at the University of Arizona, Tucson, Ariz., May 15, 2026.
A pair of grads hug it out as their college gets called out at the 162nd Commencement at the University of Arizona, Tucson, Ariz., May 15, 2026.
Skyler Lopez exchanges cell phone photos in a two-for with Dagny McCrory for the 162nd Commencement at the University of Arizona, Tucson, Ariz., May 15, 2026.
The conferral of the degrees for the college of social science brings a grad out of her seat and off her feet for the 162nd Commencement at the University of Arizona, Tucson, Ariz., May 15, 2026.
Marisa Stonis gets emotional spotting her family in the stands for the 162nd Commencement at the University of Arizona, Tucson, Ariz., May 15, 2026.
Bryon Mahaffay gets his choice of seats, among the first grads to arrive for the 162nd Commencement at the University of Arizona, Tucson, Ariz., May 15, 2026.
Grad Jeremiah Beltran conserves his energy, stretching out in the end zone before the 162nd Commencement ceremony gets rolling at the University of Arizona, Tucson, Ariz., May 15, 2026.
Alehxia Apodaca grabs some video of the big screen towards the end of the night’s program at the 162nd Commencement at the University of Arizona, Tucson, Ariz., May 15, 2026.
The final music gets the grads up and dancing as they celebrate graduation at the 162nd Commencement at the University of Arizona, Tucson, Ariz., May 15, 2026.
Kelly Presnell
Photojournalist
