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

Two graduates in silouhette from behind entering the Alumni Gym.

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.

Three decorated graduation caps seen from behind.

Personalizing graduation caps is an unofficial tradition at Amherst.

Three young men in graduation gowns and caps, and one with a leafy wreath on his head.

Ready for the main event!

Graduates standing and sitting inside the Alumni Gym before Commencement.

Sometimes the wait feels very long.

Two graduates deep in discussion.

Two graduates share a moment prior to the main event.

The students processing from the Alumni Gym to the Academic Quad.

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

The Ceremony

The student marshals leading the procession.

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.

Students line up in front of their seats during Commencement.

The graduates find their assigned seats on the Quad.

 

Senior class speaker Quentin Liren Jeyaretnam

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

Abeer Jadallah and Julissa Tello stand to receive the Swift Moore Teaching Award during Commencement.

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.

Mike Maunu and Sam Hodges stand to receive the Swift Moore Teaching Award during Commencement.

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

Felicia Mouton and Diego Carias stand to receive the Swift Moore Teaching Award during Commencement.

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

President Elliott and Adrienne White-Faines

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 helmet.

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

President Elliott shakes the hand of a graduate.

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

 

Students cheer on their fellow graduates.

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

Three students highlighted as they exit the stage with their diplomas.
Family members take photos and cheer on their students.

Families and friends cheer on the graduates.

Three students take a selfie together.
Students toss their caps in the air at the end of the Commencement ceremony.

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

The Celebration

A graduate, holding a large bouquet of balloons. poses with family members

A group of five graduates pose together at the end of the ceremony.

A graduate and her family member raise their arms in celebration.

A graduate raises both arms in celebration.

A lone graduate surveys the view of the Mt. Holyoke Range.