A drunk driver killed her parents. Now she’s graduating to honor them
Azalea Corral has a family photo that shows her three younger siblings and parents smiling together against a Santa Barbara countryside backdrop. It was taken on February 8, 2020 — the last time they would pose together for a photo. The following day, both her parents succumbed to bodily injuries...

Joan Didion's 'lost' commencement address, revealed
California-rooted author and new journalism maven Joan Didion, who died Dec. 23, 2021, delivered a commencement address at UC Riverside in 1975. In subsequent decades, excerpts have frequently been quoted in major media, including in a New York Times review of her book “The Year of Magical Thinking” and again...
‘Closure’ for 2020 and 2021 graduates
Nearly 4,500 students participated in modified in-person commencement ceremonies.

2021 voices: Grads share pivotal moments of their educational journeys
More than 7,100 students are eligible to graduate; Commencement events kick off on June 3 with the School of Medicine.
Commencement now allows two guests; ceremonies listed
2020 and 2021 grads may join the in-person recognition; all events will be live-streamed for families to enjoy at home.

UCR offers commencement compromise
A plan announced by Chancellor Kim A. Wilcox on Wednesday aims to address graduates' urge to walk at commencement, while respecting the caution still required by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Under the plan, graduates can have their photos taken on stage, but no guests will be permitted. A prerecorded 30-minute...

Class of 2020: Remembered for ‘their flexibility and resilience’
UC Riverside’s 66th commencement will be a virtual celebration on Sunday, June 14. Meet some of the 2020 graduates.

'Falling out of love' led to record-breaking tennis career
A shift from soccer to tennis jostled Kyle McCann's Irish footballer-father, but a storied UCR career affirms it was the right move.

Pushing back against poverty
Mark Sebarrotin said UCR was his shot at the California dream; now, he wants to help others achieve their dream, too.

Engineering a better future
Souradeep Bhattacharya aims to make an impact where the needs are greatest