The Honors College graduation ceremony at Arizona Stadium on May 11 kicked off eight days of in-person celebrations on the University of Arizona main campus. (Photo: Chris Richards/University of Arizona)
The Honors College ceremony at Arizona Stadium on May 11 kicked off eight days of graduation celebrations on the University of Arizona main campus. (Photo: Chris Richards/University of Arizona)
Soon-to-be graduates from the James E. Rogers College of Law mingled in the Cole and Jeannie Davis Sports Center on May 11 before the ceremony began. Attendees heard from Deb Haaland, secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior, during a video keynote speech. (Photo: Kyle Mittan/University of Arizona)
Soon-to-be graduates from the James E. Rogers College of Law mingled in the Cole and Jeannie Davis Sports Center on May 11 before the ceremony began. Attendees heard from Deb Haaland, secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior, during a video keynote speech. (Photo: Kyle Mittan/University of Arizona)
A student graduating with a Doctor of Medicine is hooded at the College of Medicine – Tucson graduation ceremony on May 12 at the Cole and Jeannie Davis Sports Center. More than 100 new doctors graduated from the college this year. (Photo: Rick Kopstein/University of Arizona BioCommunications)
Graduating doctors recite the Hippocratic Oath. (Photo: Rick Kopstein/University of Arizona BioCommunications)
About 500 students from the University of Arizona's Mel & Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, College of Applied Science and Technology and the Department of Physiology in the College of Medicine – Tucson celebrated at Arizona Stadium on May 12. (Photo: Chris Richards/University of Arizona)
About 500 students from the University of Arizona's Mel & Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, College of Applied Science and Technology and the Department of Physiology in the College of Medicine – Tucson celebrated at Arizona Stadium on May 12. (Photo: Chris Richards/University of Arizona)
About 500 students from the University of Arizona's Mel & Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, College of Applied Science and Technology and the Department of Physiology in the College of Medicine – Tucson celebrated at Arizona Stadium on May 12. (Photo: Kyle Mittan/University of Arizona)
About 85 University of Arizona student-athletes celebrated graduation on May 13 at the Cole and Jeannie Davis Sports Center. (Photo: Mike Christy/Arizona Athletics)
Athletics Director Dave Heeke addresses graduating student-athletes. (Photo: Mike Christy/Arizona Athletics)
Students from the University of Arizona College of Education and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences were awarded degrees on May 13 at Arizona Stadium. (Photo: Chris Richards/University of Arizona)
Students from the University of Arizona College of Education and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences were awarded degrees on May 13 at Arizona Stadium. (Photo: Chris Richards/University of Arizona)
Soon-to-be PharmD graduates Neha Patel and Jude Enwereji take a selfie at the College of Pharmacy graduation ceremony at the Cole and Jeannie Davis Sports Center on May 14. (Photo: John de Dios)
University of Arizona President Robert C. Robbins enters the College of Pharmacy ceremony with other members of the processional. (Photo: John de Dios)
Lucina Mallavarapu, the mother of Sahil Mallavarapu, tries to put a graduation lei on her son at the graduation ceremony for the College of Engineering and the James C. Wyant College of Optical Sciences at Arizona Stadium on May 14. Sahil Mallavarapu graduated with a Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering. (Photo: John de Dios)
Garrett Hartung celebrates after crossing the stage and finishing his undergraduate career with a degree in optical sciences. Hartung plans to work for Raytheon Missile Systems. (Photo: John de Dios)
More than 100 College of Nursing students celebrated their graduation during a morning ceremony in the Cole and Jeannie Davis Sports Center on May 15. (Photo: Chris Richards/University of Arizona)
More than 100 College of Nursing students celebrated their graduation during a morning ceremony in the Cole and Jeannie Davis Sports Center on May 15. (Photo: Chris Richards/University of Arizona)
Nearly 900 graduates attended the Eller College of Management ceremony in Arizona Stadium on May 15, making it one of the largest of the university's 16 in-person celebrations. (Photo: John de Dios)
Eller College of Management undergraduates cross the stage during the college's ceremony at Arizona Stadium on May 15. (Photo: John de Dios)
Faculty and dignitaries, including President Robert C. Robbins, process with the ceremonial mace at the ceremony for Graduate Interdisciplinary Sciences and Biomedical Sciences graduate students on May 16. (Photo: John de Dios)
Belen Molina is hooded by Felicia Goodrum Sterling from the University of Arizona's Cancer Biology program. (Photo: John de Dios)
University of Arizona students from the College of Fine Arts, College of Humanities, and College of Architecture, Planning and Landscape Architecture celebrate their graduation at Arizona Stadium on May 16. (Photo: Chris Richards/University of Arizona)
University of Arizona students from the College of Fine Arts, College of Humanities, and College of Architecture, Planning and Landscape Architecture celebrate their graduation at Arizona Stadium on May 16. (Photo: Chris Richards/University of Arizona)
Bird's-eye view of Arizona Stadium on May 16, when University of Arizona students from the College of Fine Arts, College of Humanities, and College of Architecture, Planning and Landscape Architecture celebrated graduation. (Photo: Kyle Mittan/University of Arizona)
Leah Adrianna Guerrero, who graduated with a master's in public administration, dons the stole from her sorority and poses with the Wildcat hand symbol at the Cole and Jeanne Davis Sports Center on May 17. (Photo: John de Dios)
The ceremony for graduate students in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences brought about 80 students to the Cole and Jeannie Davis Sports Center on May 17. (Photo: John de Dios)
Nearly 800 graduates from the College of Science attended the ceremony at Arizona Stadium on May 17. (Photo: Chris Richards/University of Arizona)
Nearly 800 graduates from the College of Science attended the ceremony at Arizona Stadium on May 17. (Photo: Chris Richards/University of Arizona)
University of Arizona student veterans gathered at the Cole and Jeannie Davis Sports Center on May 18 to celebrate earning their degrees. (Photo: Chris Richards/University of Arizona)
University of Arizona student veterans gathered at the Cole and Jeannie Davis Sports Center on May 18 to celebrate earning their degrees. (Photo: Chris Richards/University of Arizona)
The ceremony for graduates of the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences was the largest and final ceremony to recognize the class of 2021. Nearly 900 students attended the physically distanced ceremony at Arizona Stadium on May 18. (Photo: Chris Richards/University of Arizona)
The ceremony graduates of the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences was the largest and final ceremony to recognize the class of 2021. Nearly 900 students attended the physically distanced ceremony at Arizona Stadium on May 18. (Photo: Chris Richards/University of Arizona)
College of Medicine – Phoenix Dean Guy Reed addresses graduates during a ceremony at the Phoenix Biomedical Campus on May 10. (Photo: College of Medicine – Phoenix Media Production Team)
College of Medicine – Phoenix graduates pose for a selfie at the college's graduation ceremony at the Phoenix Biomedical Campus on May 10. (Photo: College of Medicine – Phoenix Media Production Team)
In her Commencement address to the University of Arizona Class of 2021, women's basketball coach Adia Barnes encouraged graduates to "bet on themselves" and "take a chance," even in the face of adversity.
"I bet on me," she said, recalling times when she faced challenging odds. Members of this year's class, who have overcome the many challenges of the pandemic to reach graduation, should bet on themselves, too, she said.
Barnes, head coach of the University of Arizona women's basketball team, led the Wildcats to the program's first-ever Final Four appearance in April, and the team was a basket away from claiming this year's NCAA title. Her video speech was played at several of the 16 in-person graduation ceremonies held on the university's main campus over eight days. The series of events ended on Tuesday evening with a ceremony for the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences.
Barnes told graduates she was no stranger to adversity and urged them to stay determined as they look to what's next. The fact that they made it to graduation after 14 months in a pandemic, she said, proves they can achieve anything.
"You will face adversity. But, let me tell you: You just conquered adversity and graduated," Barnes said. "You've had adversity for 14 months and you've dealt with it. So don't worry; don't be afraid. Go step out, step on a limb, take a chance."
This year's scaled-down graduation ceremonies, which were divided by colleges and programs, were held primarily at the Cole and Jeannie Davis Sports Center and Arizona Stadium. Designed with COVID-19 safety precautions in mind, the ceremonies had physically distanced seating and limited attendance, with students allowed just four ticketed guests. Masks were required, and participating students were required to test negative for COVID-19 within 72 hours of an event or show proof of vaccination. Additional graduation ceremonies were held at the Phoenix Biomedical Campus and the university's regional campus in Yuma. More than 7,000 students earned their degrees.
See scenes from the university's graduation ceremonies in the gallery above. Videos of all the ceremonies will also be available for viewing on YouTube.