Celebrating UCR’s Class of 2023

Most of the students from the Class of 2023 started this journey in fall 2019 — the last quarter of pandemic-free existence. Just months after they stepped onto UC Riverside’s campus, they exchanged classroom numbers for Zoom links and ventured through their first year of higher education without traditional support...

By Malinn Loeung | | Students, University

Countdown to Commencement 2023

For the first time ever, the University of California, Riverside’s class of 2023 will commence at one of two locations. Graduates will either walk across an on-campus stage at the Student Recreation Center or an off-campus stage at Toyota Arena. The latter was announced during the fall in response to...

By Malinn Loeung | | Students, University

Highlander Pep Band surprises campus with hype song

Imagine you’re sitting in class on a random Thursday morning, listening to your chemistry professor, and then a 15-piece band bursts in the room blasting the Macklemore and Ryan Lewis throwback hit, “Can’t Hold Us” — but the tuba, symbols, trumpet, and flute version. If you were on campus on...

By Malinn Loeung | | University, Students

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...

Commencement 2022 to be in person and on campus

UC Riverside’s class of 2022 will celebrate the milestone of receiving their bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in person and on campus. In early June, the campus will finally welcome graduating Highlanders to the commencement stage, where their friends, families, and fans can cheer them on as they cross the...

By Malinn Loeung | | Students, University

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...

By J.D. Warren | | University

‘Closure’ for 2020 and 2021 graduates

Nearly 4,500 students participated in modified in-person commencement ceremonies.

By Sandra Baltazar Martínez | | Students

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...

By UCR News | | University

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.

By Sandra Baltazar Martínez | | University

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.

By Tess Eyrich | | Students

On the front line of medicine

Medical school graduate Hurnan Vongsachang will start her residency in emergency medicine this summer

By Iqbal Pittalwala | | Students, Health

'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.

By J.D. Warren | | Students

Racing to the finish line

Taylor Brown, track and field champion, nominated for 2018 NCAA Woman of the Year award

By Brittney Carolina | | University

Stories of victory among UC Riverside’s 2018 graduating class

UCR’s 64th Commencement includes School of Medicine’s Hippocratic oath ceremony

Engineering a better future

Souradeep Bhattacharya aims to make an impact where the needs are greatest

A political mind

Mina Hanin's career goals were shaped by his upbringing in Egypt

By Brittney Carolina | | University