The 2018 commencement ceremony is Thursday, May 10. Whether you're planning to attend the ceremony or want to avoid traffic implications, here's everything you need to know. Be part of the story by using the hashtag #ForeverBuffs; watch the action live at the commencement site or the CU Boulder Facebook page. Media should visit the commencement site for additional resources.
Below, read about just a few of the talented, motivated and innovative students who are graduating and starting on their next adventure. Congratulations, Buffs!
Caitlyn Hughes: #ILookLikeAnEngineer
With aspirations to work for a bio-medical company, Hughes was one of five women in a class of 100. She spent part of her college career putting on events for Girl Scouts so they could learn about engineering and how "awesome" it can be.
Brenda Ortiz: Discovering the beauty of CU Boulder, staying for an education
Like many other college students, Ortiz faced challenges along the way, but found her community; asked for help when needed; and feels, if she could do it, others can, too. Her hope? That others are inspired to live their dreams and change the world.
Efren Herrera Hurtado: Finding a voice in social justice
Born in Mexico and raised in Colorado, Herrera first set foot on campus as a junior transfer student intent on degrees in French and Italian, but he unexpectedly discovered a new passion.
Joss Orejel: Adding diploma to her list of 'firsts'
The Buffs soccer standout will be the first in her family to earn a college degree, the latest in a series of firsts for her. The first-born child of immigrants, she grew up doing what people around her suggested couldn't be done, including athletic pursuits.
Eric Brown-Malone: From student to leader of men and women
This October, a few months after his commissioning as an active duty field artillery officer on May 10, Brown-Malone will report to Fort Sill, Oklahoma, to continue his training at the U.S. Army Field Artillery School.
Emma Wu: Aiming high academically
When Wu stepped onto Folsom Field for commencement, she wore not one but three graduation tassels—white, orange and red—representing three distinct degrees in three different CU Boulder colleges.
Toby Bollig: Car crash helps grad make case for accessibility
Bollig, graduating summa cum laude, overcame a traumatic brain injury in a 2016 car accident. He used that experience as a jumping-off point for one of his two honors theses, as well as in his leadership on campus and in his community beyond.
Aleela Taylor: Looking toward future as human rights attorney
A trip to South Africa last spring gave Taylor a new perspective on life and the inspiration she needed to chart her future, realizing her passion was to work in civil and human rights.
Cori Fagan: Celebrating graduation, 8 years in the making
Fagan has spent the better part of a decade balancing a full-time job, parenthood and school. This month marks a major milestone for her; she is graduating with a bachelor's degree in Classics.
Phillip Lindsay: Taking dedication, work ethic to the classroom
Under extremely difficult circumstances, Lindsay used the same dedication, discipline and work ethic that fans saw him successfully implement on the football field to earn a degree at CU Boulder.
Zoey Craun: A truly global engineer
One of Craun's favorite CU Boulder memories happened 4,000 miles from campus, when she was in Bolivia building a footbridge for a local community with the CU chapter of Bridges to Prosperity.
Jesús Ramos: With med school on hold, seeking to help others succeed
After a successful college career, worries over DACA's fate and paying for medical school have prompted Ramos to pursue another dream, helping other first-generation students. He's heading into a graduate program in student affairs.
Tyler LeCroy: A passion for education
Known for his thoughtful insights and engaging lessons, LeCroy found his love for math and science when he started community college and then transferred to CU Boulder, soon driving a passion for education.
Mónica González Ybarra: Incorporating personal experience into community work, research
The School of Education's outstanding doctoral graduate and PhD graduate in the Literacy Studies program will begin her faculty career as a visiting assistant professor at the University of Texas, El Paso in the English department.
Alita Smith: Showing dedication, strength
With steady dedication to her studies and to her 6-year-old son, Smith shows strength in every endeavor of hers. After two decades in the hospitality industry, she took the leap to pursue her lifelong dream of being an educator.
Joy Barber: Upending racialized stereotypes in news media
As part of her studies, Barber focused on the roots of the racialized stereotyped criminal as presented in TV news. As a journalist, she plans to represent minorities in the positive light they deserve.
Ross Fischer: From Grand Valley to globetrotter
Accepting a certain piece of local lore as a personal challenge, the mechanical engineering student got outside of his comfort zone during his college career, traveling to Fairbanks, Alaska; Bangkok, Thailand; Kathmandu, Nepal; and soon, to Tanzania with the Peace Corps.
Emily Daub: Blending dance with technology, arts, media
With a passion for science and technology and an interest in design, Daub knew her strengths and was able to pull them all together into one major.
Edyael Casaperalta: From Texas to tech law
Casaperalta knew she wanted a school where she could work toward helping marginalized communities navigate the complex waters of technology law. She now is graduating from that school with a law degree.
Petra Hyncicova, Petter Reistad: When athletics help build academic success
When it comes to academics and athletics, Colorado skiers Hyncicova and Reistad are firm believers the two go hand-in-hand: The time demands, discipline and dedication these pursuits require help increase their chances of success in both.
Leo Borasio: Marching to his own beat
Ask Borasio about his time as a student and he'll tell you it was pretty straightforward. Probe a bit deeper, and he'll mention his internship-turned-job at a startup, his recent trip to LA, or digging up ancient artifacts across the Southwest.
Nick Monteleone: Serving others through engineering
Monteleone's service, professionalism and academic efforts throughout college earned him the Colorado Engineering Council's silver medal, one of the most prestigious awards offered to CU Engineering graduates.
