UC Santa Barbara bids farewell to the class of 2024 this weekend across eight ceremonies.
On Saturday the College of Letters & Science for math, life, and physical sciences had two ceremonies for graduates, the first at 9 a.m. and the second at 1 p.m. The College of Engineering had its ceremony at 4 p.m.
The College of Letters & Science includes majors such as biochemistry, earth science, mathematics, physics and more.
Chancellor Henry Yang said this year’s commencement was extra special since most of the graduates didn’t get a high school graduation because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“You showed us your courage and resilience when a global pandemic turned our world and your college experience upside down,” Yang said. “It took for most of you the experience of your high school graduation, making today’s ceremony even more meaningful.”
Yang celebrated the hard work of the graduates, noting that many made it to graduation while balancing jobs and double majors.
“You have demonstrated to all of us just how very special you are,” Yang said. “You have inspired us with your intelligence and your curiosity. You have amazed us with your perseverance and your accomplishments. We have seen how hard you have worked.”
Yang recognized the commencement speaker, UCSB alumnus Robert Duggan, with the Santa Barbara medal for his career in cancer treatment and biosciences. Duggan is also a trustee for the UCSB Foundation.
Duggan began his speech by praising Yang for his leadership at UCSB and the UC system. Duggan went on to encourage the graduates to embrace their curiosity and willingness to take chances.
“As you navigate the uncertainty of the future, do so with a sense of adventure and spirit of exploration,” Duggan said. “Know that what you do counts. Life needs your help, your cooperation and your love.”
Duggan ended his address by announcing that his family and another alumni family will be investing $50 million in a genius institute on campus that will be named after Yang and his wife, Dilling Yang.
Student speaker Gabriel Cohen, who graduated with a degree in pharmacology, began his speech by telling the crowd that he won’t be pursuing a career in pharmacology or anything related to it.
“When I first stepped foot in my pharmacology lab at the beginning of senior year, I thought to myself, I’ve made a huge mistake,” Cohen said. “I don’t enjoy this, I have thrown away my college experience, and I never should have picked this major.”
Cohen went on to say that this path isn’t what he planned, and, like many of the graduates, the last four years didn’t go as he expected.
“The context to our graduation today is completely unique,” Cohen said. “As we all know, our first year was entirely online, missing a crucial period of growth.”
Cohen shared memories of meeting friends during the pandemic, living in Isla Vista, working in a restaurant, and the camaraderie among classmates that made it possible to get to graduation.
“Things did not go how we expected these last few years, different people, different degrees, but we’re still leaving this university with more life, love, and wisdom than we arrived with,” Cohen said.
During the ceremony, graduates walked across the stage as their names were read out loud. They did not receive a diploma or diploma holder and did not shake hands with anyone.
The road to graduation has been a complicated one for the class of 2024. Earlier this month the university announced that it was moving commencement from the traditional commencement green next to the lagoon to the Recreation Center Fields.
The controversial move sparked a student petition that led to the university reversing the decision days later.
On Friday the Bren School of Environmental Science and Management had its ceremony at 9 a.m. and graduate students had their commencement at 1 p.m.
Commencement ceremonies will continue on Sunday with the College of Letters & Science for social sciences and humanities and fine arts.
