Published: May 10, 2018

The energy and excitement were palpable on campus this week, one of the highlights of the academic year not only for the class of 2018, but also for all those among the community who supported CU Boulder’s newest graduates along their journey. For faculty, campus leadership, staff members, fellow students, families and visitors alike, it was a culminating time. 

Captured on campus

On display were beaming smiles, warm embraces, exchanges of good wishes, custom-decorated regalia, and most of all, the bursting pride of thousands of people.

Scenes from CU Boulder's 2018 main commencement ceremony at Folsom Field. Photo by Glenn Asakawa.

Grads gather at Norlin Quad before the main commencement ceremony. Photo by Glenn Asakawa. Grads gather at Norlin Quad before the main commencement ceremony. Photo by Glenn Asakawa. Grads gather at Norlin Quad before the main commencement ceremony. Photo by Glenn Asakawa. Grads gather at Norlin Quad before the main commencement ceremony. Photo by Glenn Asakawa. Grads gather at Norlin Quad before the main commencement ceremony. Photo by Glenn Asakawa. Grads gather at Norlin Quad before the main commencement ceremony. Photo by Glenn Asakawa. Bagpipers lead the procession from the quad to CU Boulder's 2018 main commencement ceremony at Folsom Field. Photo by Glenn Asakawa. Graduates enjoy the procession from the quad to CU Boulder's 2018 main commencement ceremony at Folsom Field. Photo by Glenn Asakawa. Dignitaries and faculty process from Norlin Quad to the main commencement ceremony. Photo by Glenn Asakawa. Graduates process to the main commencement ceremony at Folsom Field. Photo by Glenn Asakawa. Even dogs came to watch graduates process from Norlin Quad to the main commencement ceremony. Photo by Glenn Asakawa. Graduates process to the main commencement ceremony at Folsom Field. Photo by Glenn Asakawa. Graduate dons many medals during the commencement ceremony. Photo by Glenn Asakawa. Meghan Bille, advertising, kisses her mom, Bernadette, before the commencement ceremony. Photo by Glenn Asakawa. Family members catch a view of their graduate before the commencement ceremony. Photo by Glenn Asakawa. Two graduates shake hands on Folsom Field before the commencement ceremony. Photo by Glenn Asakawa. Graduate poses for a photo before the commencement ceremony at Folsom Field. Photo by Glenn Asakawa. Trevor Jordan, sociology major and minor in anthropology, hugs his daughter Violet, 6, before the ceremony. Photo by Glenn Asakawa. Bud Coleman, chair of Theatre & Dance and commencement marshal, lowers the staff signaling the start of the ceremony. Photo by Glenn Asakawa. Chancellor Philip DiStefano congratulates the class of 2018 and offers remarks. Photo by Patrick Campbell. Polly McLean, center, CU associate professor of media studies accepts Lucile Berkely Buchanan's degree, posthumously, on her behalf. Photo by Glenn Asakawa. Featured commencement speaker Oregon Gov. Kate Brown addresses the class of 2018. Photo by Patrick Campbell. Commencement speaker Oregon Gov. Kate Brown takes photo with DACA students mentioned in her speech. Photo by Patrick Campbell. Graduates toss their caps up in the air as the ceremony comes to an end. Photo by Glenn Asakawa.


#ForeverBuffs through your lens

See commencement highlights shared by you on Instagram.

@boulderkkg | Congrats to all our seniors that graduated today! We can’t wait to see what your future holds. @goldenfromboulder | Four years fly by when you’re having fun! @nsa_cuboulder | Graduation hats are ready! Congrats to these seniors. @ciaravanness_bjj | This moment is finally real. @rakoczypictures | Two years with Buff Vision, so glad to be working and learning alongside great people. @philostrand | Official CU alumni and cap! @monikada | #classof2018 @treepeoples | The day we believe ourselves to know everything is the day we get old. Here’s to remaining forever young.