Commencement morning begins with the arrival of graduating seniors in Alumni Gymnasium. From there, they process to the Academic Quad, where families and friends welcome and celebrate them. The program includes the awarding of senior prizes, Phebe and Zephaniah Swift Moore Teaching Awards and the Medal for Eminent Service; the conferring of honorary degrees; performances by the Glee Club; addresses by a member of the graduating class and by President Michael A. Elliott; and the conferring of the degree of bachelor of arts to the members of the class of ’23. (See more photos: Saturday Highlights.)

Getting Ready

Prior to the ceremony, the graduates gather in Alumni Gym for food, conversation, final touches to their caps and gowns, and, ultimately, the start of the procession to the Academic Quad.

Personalizing graduation caps is an unofficial tradition at Amherst.

Ready for the main event!

Sometimes the wait feels very long.

Two graduates share a moment prior to the main event.

The graduating class of 2023 walking uphill to the Academic Quad.

The Ceremony

Student marshals lead their classmates to the Academic Quad. Left to right: Victoria Foley ’23, Carley Daly ’23 and Haoran Tong ’23. Second row: senior class speaker Quentin Liren Jeyaretnam ’23.

The graduates find their assigned seats on the Quad.

 

The class elected Quentin Liren Yeyaretnam ’23 to give the student address. 

Members of the graduating class have the chance to nominate their secondary school teachers  for a Phebe and Zephaniah Swift Moore Teaching Award. Pictured here is history teacher Abeer K. Jadallah and her former student, Julissa Tello ’23.

Computer science teacher Mike Maunu was nominated by Sam Hodges ’23.

Diego Carias ’23 nominated English teacher Felicia M. Mouton.

Left: President Michael Elliott delivers his Commencement address; right: Adrienne E. White-Faines ’82 receives the Medal for Eminent Service.

A sea of graduation caps, and one firefighter's helmet!

President Michael A. Elliott shakes hands with each graduate crossing the stage.

 

Members of the class of ’23 cheer for their fellow graduates.

Families and friends cheer on the graduates.

The cap toss marks the end of the Commencement ceremony, but there would be more celebrating to come! 

The Celebration