Media advisory: U of A will confer about 9,000 degrees at Commencement

May 9, 2025

What: 161st University of Arizona Commencement
When: Friday, May 16, 7:30 p.m. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.
Where: Arizona Stadium
Media parking: Lot 8110 at the southeast corner of North Warren Avenue and East Sixth Street, across the street and just southeast of Arizona Stadium.
RSVP: Please RSVP to media_requests@list.arizona.edu by noon Wednesday, May 14, to reserve a media credential. Credentials will be available for pickup May 16, beginning at 4:30 p.m., at Lot 8110.

TUCSON, Ariz. – 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. More than 30,000 guests attend the university's Commencement celebration each year.

Erik Weihenmayer, a world-renowned adventurer best known for becoming the first blind person to summit Mount Everest, will deliver the Commencement address. A media availability with Weihenmayer is scheduled for 5 p.m. prior to the start of the ceremony on May 16. Credentialed media wishing to attend should RSVP to media_requests@list.arizona.edu for access.

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.

"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."

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.

More information for guests is available on the Commencement website.

Honorary degree and Alumni Achievement Award 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. The others are:

Ginny L. Clements, Doctor of Science from the College of Medicine – Tucson Department of Pediatrics
William A. Franke, Doctor of Humane Letters from the W.A. Franke Honors College
Mark Smith, Doctor of Science from the College of Agriculture, Life and Environmental Sciences

The university will also recognize Eller College of Management alum Zach Fenton as this year's Alumni Achievement Award winner. Fenton is the principal of ZFI Holdings LLC, a real estate investment company, who will be recognized for his entrepreneurship and commitment to community development.

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.

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Media contact:
University Communications
520-626-9422
media_requests@list.arizona.edu

Established in 1885, the University of Arizona is the state's flagship, land-grant institution. The U of A ranks among America's top institutions, focusing on student access and success while driving a $1 billion research enterprise and engaging communities throughout the state, nation and world. As a leading Research 1 institution and member of the Association of American Universities, the U of A advances the frontiers of interdisciplinary scholarship and entrepreneurial partnerships. With two accredited medical schools, designation as a Hispanic-Serving Institution by the U.S. Department of Education, recognition as a premier university for service members, distinguished programs in management information systems, planetary sciences, dance, photography, and public and applied humanities, the U of A offers the world to its students while uplifting Arizona.