The UCLA College commencement ceremony was a powerful reminder of the remarkable achievements of the graduates and the strength of the university’s values in a rapidly changing world.
On June 27, graduates gathered with their families and friends at Pauley Pavilion for the day’s celebrations, marked by a rare burst of sunshine that seemed to mirror the hopeful spirits of the graduates.
Stories of Triumph and Connection
One of the standout moments came from Renell Gochman, whose daughter, Gisell, was graduating with degrees in psychology and human biology.
proudly wearing UCLA colors and clutching a blue orchid, Gochman spoke with pride about her daughter’s many accomplishments — from being an honors student to working as a research assistant in a UCLA neuroscience lab and serving as a director with the Special Olympics.
“UCLA has been phenomenal,” she said, reflecting on the university’s support.
Other graduates, like Kate Kresser and Lindsay Bettencourt, were equally excited, though they acknowledged the sense of uncertainty in the world around them.
Kresser, a music industry major, shared that this moment was surreal, while Bettencourt, an English major, felt as though she was completing a circle, honoring her grandfather who had once attended UCLA. Both graduates expressed their readiness to face the future, no matter the challenges.
A Diverse and Resilient Class
This year, UCLA saw 10,000 undergraduates graduate, with over 5,000 graduate and doctoral students also earning their degrees.
The ceremony welcomed 6,700 undergraduates and 27,000 guests — all celebrating a diverse student body that includes 30% first-generation college graduates, 80% California residents, and one-third transfer students from community colleges.
These figures highlight UCLA’s commitment to inclusive excellence, ensuring that students from various backgrounds have the opportunity to succeed.
Kindness as a Light in the Fog
In his first commencement address as UCLA’s Chancellor, Julio Frenk emphasized the importance of kindness in today’s world, especially when public discourse is divided. He called kindness “a light in the fog of cynicism, tribalism, and withdrawal.”
Frenk urged graduates to use their education and the values instilled at UCLA to shape a more just society. “Let your learning be a source of light. Let your voice be a light in difficult conversations,” he said. “When you are unsure where to begin, begin with kindness.”
His words echoed throughout the ceremony, urging graduates to take on the world with a spirit of curiosity, compassion, and openness.
Sara Bareilles: Embracing the Messy Middle
Sara Bareilles, a UCLA alumna and Grammy Award-winning artist, delivered a heartfelt keynote speech, sharing her personal struggles with anxiety, self-doubt, and the chaotic state of the world.
“It is impossible to be in this moment, in our country and the world, and not acknowledge that this is scary,” she admitted.
Despite these feelings, she encouraged graduates to stay curious and embrace the uncertainty of life. “What would happen if we could learn to stay curious instead of certain?” she asked.
Bareilles’ words struck a deep chord with the audience, reminding them that even in a world filled with chaos and cruelty, there is beauty and brilliance to be found if we approach it with a curious heart.
Student Speaker Harriet Grace Leibowitz: Embracing Challenges
The student speaker, Harriet Grace Leibowitz, a physiological sciences and pre-med student, reflected on her own journey from the U.K. to UCLA.
She spoke about stepping into the unknown and confronting her own limitations through her research at Cedars-Sinai, work as a certified medical assistant, and leadership in a UCLA startup. She encouraged her classmates to embrace challenges and growth as they prepare to face the future.
“Today, as we stand on the brink of our futures, it’s impossible not to feel a mix of emotions — honor, gratitude and even a little bit of fear. Because leaving this place means stepping into the unknown,” she said, urging graduates to create change rather than wait for it.
A Meaningful Commencement for All
After Chancellor Frenk conferred the degrees, the graduates celebrated with their families, marking the end of an era and the beginning of the next chapter in their lives.
For many, the message of kindness, curiosity, and resilience was a reminder of the values they will carry forward as they venture into the world.
As David Russell, an associate professor of English and the ceremony’s marshal, noted in his speech, small acts of kindness may not always be measurable, but they have the power to offer hope and shape a better future for everyone.
