University of Arizona President Suresh V. Garimella will confer about 9,000 bachelor's, master's, doctoral and professional degrees at the university's 161st Commencement on May 16. 

The approximately 90-minute ceremony will begin at 7:30 p.m. at Arizona Stadium and will be streamed live on YouTube. About 30,000 guests attend the university's Commencement celebration each year.

"We can see the excitement building as the U of A Wildcat Class of 2025 and their families prepare for this year's Commencement," said Heather Lukach, assistant vice president for presidential events and university ceremonies. "This will be President Garimella's first Commencement, and he'll be joined by many new voices in the program – including our keynote speaker, a global advocate for self-empowerment and a perfect match for the U of A Bear Down spirit."

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This year's Commencement speaker is Erik Weihenmayer, a world-renowned adventurer best known for becoming the first blind person to summit Mount Everest.

Weihenmayer is the only blind climber to ascend the Seven Summits – the highest peaks on each continent. He has also climbed frozen waterfalls in Nepal and Canada, volcanoes in Ecuador and Chile, and long, difficult rock routes in his home in Colorado's Rocky Mountains and the towering cliffs of the Italian Dolomites. And in 2014, he kayaked the entire 277 miles of the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon.

"I'm very glad we will be welcoming Erik to our campus as this year's Commencement speaker," Garimella said. "Erik is a world-renowned adventurer, educator and leader, who has dedicated his life to serving others. His achievements exemplify courage, resilience and the Bear Down spirit, and he is the perfect person to help inspire our graduates to continue to challenge themselves as they embark on the next chapters in their lives."

Information for guests

Arizona Stadium's Gate 7, at the southwest corner of the facility, will open at 5:30 p.m. for early access to the shaded west side of the stadium. All other gates will open at 6:30 p.m. Guest seating is on a first-come, first-served basis, and no tickets are required. 

The university will enforce game-day rules at all guest entrances, including enforcing the stadium's clear bag policy and using metal detectors for screening. No large bags, backpacks or parcels will be permitted. All in-hand items must be placed in the appropriate and approved clear bag. 

Balloons, signs, banners or flags of any kind will not be permitted.

More information for guests is available on the Commencement website.

Honorary degree recipients 

Weihenmayer will be awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from the U of A College of Education. He is one of four honorary degree recipients. 

Ginny L. Clements will be awarded an honorary Doctor of Science from the College of Medicine – Tucson Department of Pediatrics. Clements is a Tucson businesswoman whose philanthropy has benefited cancer research, athletic initiatives and art programs at the U of A.

William A. Franke will be awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from the W.A. Franke Honors College. Franke is managing partner of Indigo Partners LLC, a global private equity firm that specializes in the aviation industry. 

Mark Smith will be awarded an honorary Doctor of Science from the College of Agriculture, Life and Environmental Sciences. Smith is a U of A alumnus and president and CEO of Smith Farms Company of Yuma. 

Read more about this year's honorary degree recipients.

Alumni Achievement Award recipient

Zach Fenton will be honored with an Alumni Achievement Award during Commencement. 

Fenton, recognized for his entrepreneurship and commitment to community development, is the principal of ZFI Holdings LLC, a diversified real estate investment and syndication company. He oversees a portfolio of over 40 office buildings, retail centers, warehouses, apartments, restaurants and mixed-use transit-oriented developments and other investments. 

A Tucson native, Fenton graduated from the Eller College of Management with a 4.0 GPA in finance. He lived in Los Angeles for two years before returning to Tucson in 2011 to found his own investment company.  

ZFI Holdings has been instrumental in revitalizing several iconic Tucson properties. Notable projects include: One South Church, the city's tallest building; Seventh Avenue Lofts, a transformation of the former Asarco Mining headquarters into loft apartments; and the Indian Trading Post, a historic building on East Congress Street slated for a future restaurant and bar.

Beyond real estate, Fenton values family collaboration and community involvement. He partnered with his siblings to create three restaurants that celebrate their shared heritage and passion for hospitality: Reilly Craft Pizza & Drink, Fentonelli's Pizzeria & Bar, and nationally recognized BATA. Fenton has served on several nonprofit boards and is a regular volunteer for Eller College events.

Student award winners

Seven outstanding graduating students will be presented awards at Commencement. The awards and their recipients are:

Provost Award: Angela White, who is graduating summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science, double majoring in neuroscience and cognitive science, and psychological science. 

Robert Logan Nugent Awards: Ryan Sadowsky, who is graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, majoring in management information systems, and Siena Sevillano Shedd, who is graduating with a Bachelor of Science in physiology and medical sciences with a minor in biochemistry.

Robie Gold Medal Awards: Patrick Tanori Quintero, who is graduating summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology with a double minor in Spanish and human development and family sciences, and Aaliyah Thompson-Mazzeo, who is graduating magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering and minors in dance, mathematics and biomedical engineering.

Merrill P. Freeman Medals: Nathaniel Cross, who is graduating with honors with a Bachelor of Arts in political science and Spanish, and Katie Nguyen, who is graduating with dual degrees in physiology and medical sciences from the College of Medicine – Tucson and molecular and cellular biology from the College of Science, with minors in personal and family financial planning and biochemistry.

Read more about the student award winners.