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Commencement 2019

May 12, 2019 - Durham, NC

By Duke University

May 12^th, 2019

Congratulations Class of 2019!

With rousing encouragement and inspiration from speaker Lisa Borders, more than 5,500 new graduates join the world-wide Duke alumni community at the university’s 167th commencement.

Getting Ready for Commencement

The celebration began days before Commencement as students spent the week in Chapel Drive and in front of Duke Chapel taking last campus photos with their friends.

Seniors from Duke Gamma Phi throw their hats in front of Duke Chapel.

A group of students toss their hats in the architrave next to Duke Chapel.

Graduates hold up their hats and pose for a photo at the entrance to Duke’s campus.

A graduate poses for a photo on Chapel Drive.

Graduates throw their hats in the air in front of the chapel.

The Morning of

Graduates take a selfie on campus with Duke Chapel in the background before Commencement.

Graduates pose on a bench in the quad before the ceremony.

Graduates joke as they walk across campus to the stadium.

Graduates walk across campus with coffee before Commencement.

Graduates poses with friends and family with the iconic gothic architecture.

A group of graduates throws their hats on the steps of Duke Chapel.

Two graduates walk through an arch before commencement.

Gathering in Pascal Field House, Duke students shared last hugs and memories before lining up for the procession.

Graduates relax on the turf of the field house before walking.

Two graduates hug—one with a Duke Athletics cape.

A group of students poses for a photo in the field house.

A graduate celebrates in the field house.

An excited graduate getting ready to walk.

Graduates line up for one final photo befor walking onto the field.

Pomp and Circumstance

Despite predictions of rain, the precipitation held off and temperatures settled in the low 70s, making for a comfortable ceremony.

As they walked, students shared waves and shouts of “I love you!” with friends and family members in the audience.

The Pratt School of Engineering and Trinity College of Arts & Sciences lead the procession into Wallace Wade Stadium.

A graduate waves toward the stands while walking in the prcoession.

Graduates smile and wave during the procession.

Graduates smile and wave as they make their way to their seats on the field.

A graduate waves to spectators as she walks into the stadium.

Students seek out friends and family members in the audience.

Students march into Wallace Wade Stadium.

There was time for a few surprises: Lola Sanchez-Carrion, a Trinity senior from Peru, was shocked when her mother arranged for a wreath of flowers to be sent out for her to wear during the ceremony, which is a family tradition.

Lola Sanchez-Carrion receives flowers during the procession.

Lola Sanchez-Carrion puts on the flowers

Parental Pride

Held on Mother’s Day, the ceremony was filled with emotion.

The crowd is poised as the graduates enter the stadium.

A proud family member jumps up as the gradutes enter the stadium.

Family members wait to photograph their grad.

Family members raise their hands in triumph as their graduate walks out onto the field.

Proud family members celebrate in the stands.

Family members wave and blow kisses to students.

Watching the students move through Wade Stadium.

The Faculty Join the Procession

Led by Academic Council Chair Don Taylor who carried the university mace, the faculty followed the students. They were joined by honorary degree recipients and other honored guests.

Academic Council chair Don Taylor leads the faculty onto the field.

Duke Faculty wearing colorful robes enter the stdium.

Trinity College Dean Valerie Ashby, followed by Pratt Dean Ravi Bellamkonda

Honorary degree recipients process out onto the field.

Pratt professor Michael Gustafson gives high fives walking to the stage.

Nursing faculty member Remi M Hueckel excitedly celebrates graduates.

Members of the Board of Trustees join the platform party for the event.

Praise for the Class of 2019

Duke President Vincent Price opened the ceremony by celebrating “the many accomplishments of this exceptional group of graduates.”

President Vincent Price opens the ceremony.

Student SPeaker: Leah Rosen

This year’s student speaker, Leah Rosen, asks the Class of 2019 to stay focused on who they want to be rather than what they want to do before taking a fond look back at her time at Duke and “the power of this place.”

Watch the full speech »

Student speaker Leah Rosen delivers her address.

“It was only recently that I was even able to unlock the experiences of being. To be enough. To be in love. To be patient—with others and myself. To be joyful.”

Honorary Degrees

Four inspirational thinkers who have changed the world through their scholarship and leadership received honorary degrees: Elizabeth Alexander is president of The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation; Philosopher Anthony Appiah, professor at New York University; Nobel Laureate Brian Kobilka, professor of molecular and cellular physiology at Stanford University; and groundbreaking mathematician Caroline Series, professor emeritus at the University of Warwick.

Honorary degree recipient Elizabeth Alexander, second from right, walks onto the field at Wallace Wade Stadium.

Philosopher and noted public intellectual K. Anthony Appiah

Brian Kobilka, left, with friend and fellow Nobel Laureate Robert Lefkowitz

Mathematician Caroline Series proceeds onto the field.

Lisa Borders takes a selfie with all of the graduates.

Keynote Speaker: Lisa Borders

Let’s hear an “Amen” for Commencement speaker Lisa Borders. The Duke alumna and trustee, a granddaughter of a noted Atlanta preacher, challenged the Class of 2019 to embrace adversity and find ways to turn the lessons learned into success.

Watch the full speech »

Lisa Borders tells students to embrace adversity.

“Discouragement doesn’t have to be debilitating. If anything, discouragement should drive you to open your own doors and design your own future.”

Lisa Borders walks out following the ceremony.

Trustee Chair Jack Bovender, Lisa Borders and President Vincent Price on the platform.

PRESIDENT PRICE WRAPS IT UP

With assistance from the 10 deans, President Price concluded the ceremony by conferring degrees upon the Class of 2019. Price’s last words assured them that the new graduates would remain an important part of the Duke family.

“Remember that you are not going it alone. We are all fortunate to be part of a community of extraordinary people of accomplishment and purpose, here in Durham and across the world, a Duke family now hundreds of thousands strong. And we rely on each other for help and support, for intellectual challenge, and for fellowship and encouragement to excel.”