Photos: University of Arizona graduation, 2023
Some 4,500 graduates were on the field at Arizona Stadium to receive 8,000 degrees for the U of A's 159th Commencement, Tucson, Ariz., May 12, 2023.

A new grad rides the shoulders of a classmate, two of the approximately 4,500 members of the class of 2023 celebrating at the end of the night’s commencement ceremonies for the University of Arizona, Tucson, Ariz., May 12, 2023. Almost 33,000 guests were in the stands at Arizona Stadium for the school’s 159th Commencement and saw their students receive some 8,000 degrees, both graduate and undergraduate.

Grad Viktoria Cupay gets some last minute aid from her mother Greta Tipon securing her mortarboard just before the start of the evening’s commencement ceremonies for the University of Arizona, Tucson, Ariz., May 12, 2023.

New grads dance under the spotlights and the fireworks on the field at Arizona Stadium after the end of the official commencement ceremonies for the University of Arizona’s class of 2023, Tucson, Ariz., May 12, 2023.

Grad Jana Abdelhalim is caught in the evening sun as she gets ready for the start of commencement ceremonies for the University of Arizona, Tucson, Ariz., May 12, 2023.

Graduates from the University of Arizona’s School of Architecture celebrate as their degrees are officially conferred during commencement ceremonies for the University of Arizona, Tucson, Ariz., May 12, 2023.

New bio systems engineering grad Diana Picon and her flower have their moment in the light as degrees are officially conferred on the 4,500 students during commencement ceremonies for the University of Arizona, Tucson, Ariz., May 12, 2023.

Chemical engineering grad Chase Stewart holds his two year-old daughter Gracie after meeting up with his family following his graduation during commencement ceremonies for the University of Arizona, Tucson, Ariz., May 12, 2023.

Samantha Mata Robles spots her family in the still nearly empty stands of Arizona Stadium as the crowds and grads start filing in for commencement ceremonies at the University of Arizona, Tucson, Ariz., May 12, 2023.

Grads Elizabeth Hopkins, left, Emily Ho, Natalie Ho and Chloe Sarocka lie down on the end zone turf of Arizona Stadium to get some cell phone photos as the night gets under way for commencement ceremonies for the University of Arizona, Tucson, Ariz., May 12, 2023.

Cody Butler, left, helps fellow industrial engineer grad Adam Hauck get his sashes in place as the two get dressed for the ceremonies at the University of Arizona’s 159th Commencement, Tucson, Ariz., May 12, 2023.

Nur Prasetya has some help getting his mortarboard on straight from fellow grad Muh Ikhsan before heading into Arizona Stadium for the University of Arizona’s commencement ceremonies, Tucson, Ariz., May 12, 2023.

A grad gestures into the crowd as she walks across the stage for early commencement ceremonies for the College of Fine Arts at the University of Arizona, Tucson, Ariz., May 12, 2023.

Echo Rigg’s mortar board is sparkly as she and the other grads from the University of Arizona’s School of Fine Arts wait backstage for the start of commencement ceremonies at the University of Arizona, Tucson, Ariz., May 12, 2023.

School of Dance grad students Arianna Aquino, left, and Halston Jade Strange grab a selfie at the start of ceremonies for the College of Fine Arts at the University of Arizona, Tucson, Ariz., May 12, 2023.

A relative in the stands tries to stand out from the crowd for his graduate on the Arizona Stadium field as as the stands begin to fill at the University of Arizona, Tucson, Ariz., May 12, 2023.

The proceedings begin in earnest as the last of day light fades during commencement ceremonies for the University of Arizona, Tucson, Ariz., May 12, 2023.

Graduates from the school of dance Kennedy Frazier, top, and Jack Haskins perform student showcase during commencement ceremonies for the College of Fine Arts at the University of Arizona, Tucson, Ariz., May 12, 2023. The school’s comprehensive ceremony was scheduled to take place at Arizona Stadium later that evening.

Faith Cosby uses her phone to get her hair and cap just right while waiting with other graduates back stage for commencement ceremonies fto commence for the College of Fine Arts at the University of Arizona, Tucson, Ariz., May 12, 2023. The school’s comprehensive ceremony was scheduled to take place at Arizona Stadium later that evening.